August 16, 2018
Stay Vigilant Guam! More Wet Weather Ahead
Meteorologists anticipate more rain and choppy seas even as the tropical depression continues its northwest track away from Guam. The National Weather Service Guam (NWS) has issued public warnings and alerts warning that the weather caused by the tropical depression is creating hazardous conditions on the road, around our homes and at sea.
Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense encourages everyone to take necessary precautionary safety measures.
FLOODS:
- Clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the change of flooding.
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwater.
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for alerts or warnings.
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water as the current may be carrying debris from your surroundings.
- Avoid hiking, camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas could flood quickly and with little or no warning.
HIGH SEAS/ROUGH WATERS:
- Rip currents amount for more than 80 percent of rescues performed by beach lifeguards and first responders.
- Avoid venturing near reef lines and beaches. Large breaking waves can knock you down and cause serious injuries. Strong rip currents are life threatening.
- Powerful, channeled currents of water flowing can quickly pull swimmer out to sea.
- If caught in one, do not fight it. Swim parallel to shore and swim back to land at an angle.
- Shore breaks both small and high waves can be equally unpredictable and dangerous.
DRIVING/ROAD CONDITIONS:
- Heavy rainfall causes poor visibility
- Take your time. Slowing down is the best way to keep your car from hydroplaning.
- Turn your lights on. Turning on your headlights helps other vehicles see you.
- Give other vehicles a little bit more space. This allows you to a little bit more time to react to traffic.
- Be cautious of pedestrians and children who may be crossing or waiting alongside roadways for public transportation. As school is back in session, more children will be occupying our streets either going to or coming from school bus shelters.
Plan ahead, stay informed, get involved and take action. During this wet weather season, GHS/OCD would like you to stay vigilant. You are the help before help arrives.
Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
- NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
- NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
- GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
- GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to practice caution if traveling in the rainy conditions.
For more information, contact GHS/OCD Acting Public Information Officer, Dee Cruz at (671) 478-0291 or via email at dee.cruz@ghs.guam.gov.