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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FACT SHEETS
Guam to Move to COR 1 at Noon; Heavy Flooding Expected
Residents urged to stay indoors and stay out of the water
Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio will place Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1 at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019. At COR 1, damaging winds are expected or are already occurring. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam and Rota.
As of 7 a.m. Saturday, Typhoon Wutip was located 10.6 degrees north latitude and 143.7 degrees east longitude. The typhoon is currently 210 miles south-southwest of Guam moving toward the west-northwest at 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds are now at 120 mph. It is expected to maintain this intensity today, before beginning a slow weakening trend through Sunday.
What to expect with the current track:
Residents are reminded that if the storm moves north of predictions, Guam can expect to see more winds and rains.
Seas and surf remain dangerous across the region this morning. Buoys around Guam show seas have climbed steadily since yesterday afternoon. Dangerous surf along eastern exposures will quickly wrap around to the south and then southwest tonight, and possibly to the west on Sunday. Stay out of the water and away from exposed beaches and shorelines. Seas and surf will build to over 20 feet today.
Acting Governor Tenorio went around the island early this morning to visit flood-prone areas and emergency shelters. He reminds residents to avoid waters until authorities call off advisories as water conditions will remain dangerous even after the typhoon passes its closest point of approach to Guam.
“The storm appears to be weakening but we will continue to experience damaging winds. In addition to those who feel their homes are not safe, I encourage residents and families who live in low-lying or flood-prone areas to seek shelter now,” Acting Governor Tenorio said. “Our hardworking DPW crews are already stationed down south and clearing out drainage systems in flood-prone areas. I’ve also instructed our Acting Director to ensure we have crews on standby ready to assist and busing services available as long as it’s safe for them to do so.”
The duration of tropical storm force winds will likely be shorter than previously forecast due to a westward shift on the latest track. However, do not let your guard down; conditions will be wet and windy through Sunday.
Residents urged to stay indoors and stay out of the water
Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio will place Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1 at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019. At COR 1, damaging winds are expected or are already occurring. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam and Rota.
As of 7 a.m. Saturday, Typhoon Wutip was located 10.6 degrees north latitude and 143.7 degrees east longitude. The typhoon is currently 210 miles south-southwest of Guam moving toward the west-northwest at 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds are now at 120 mph. It is expected to maintain this intensity today, before beginning a slow weakening trend through Sunday.
What to expect with the current track:
- Low end tropical storm force winds of 35 – 45 mph during its passage, with gusts as high as 55 mph
- Closest Point of Approach (CPA) to Guam will be Saturday evening, about 160 miles southwest of Guam
- Rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches is expected during passage
Residents are reminded that if the storm moves north of predictions, Guam can expect to see more winds and rains.
Seas and surf remain dangerous across the region this morning. Buoys around Guam show seas have climbed steadily since yesterday afternoon. Dangerous surf along eastern exposures will quickly wrap around to the south and then southwest tonight, and possibly to the west on Sunday. Stay out of the water and away from exposed beaches and shorelines. Seas and surf will build to over 20 feet today.
Acting Governor Tenorio went around the island early this morning to visit flood-prone areas and emergency shelters. He reminds residents to avoid waters until authorities call off advisories as water conditions will remain dangerous even after the typhoon passes its closest point of approach to Guam.
“The storm appears to be weakening but we will continue to experience damaging winds. In addition to those who feel their homes are not safe, I encourage residents and families who live in low-lying or flood-prone areas to seek shelter now,” Acting Governor Tenorio said. “Our hardworking DPW crews are already stationed down south and clearing out drainage systems in flood-prone areas. I’ve also instructed our Acting Director to ensure we have crews on standby ready to assist and busing services available as long as it’s safe for them to do so.”
The duration of tropical storm force winds will likely be shorter than previously forecast due to a westward shift on the latest track. However, do not let your guard down; conditions will be wet and windy through Sunday.
Shelter information:
Residents are advised to remain in shelters until COR 4 is announced. Bussing to shelters will cease once COR 1 goes into effect. The following emergency shelters are open to those whose homes are not made to withstand damaging winds:
Northern
- Astumbo Elementary School
- Machananao Elementary School
Central
- George Washington High School
Southern
- Harry S. Truman Elementary School
- Inarajan Middle School
Military Installations:
IMPORTANT INFO FOR ALL MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES: While GOVGUAM will move to COR 1, Guam's military installations will remain at TCCOR 2. Some additional safety measures will be taken, but all are advised to stay off the roadways except in case of emergencies or as directed by commanders and supervisors. Military members are reminded that outside of military installations COR 1 will be in effect.
At Naval Base Guam, MWR, Commissary, and NEX facilities will remain closed today until further notice.
For Andersen Air Force Base, MWR facilities will remain closed today until further notice.
The DFAC will remain open with limited menu.
Coral Reef Fitness Center – 24/7 fitness
The Exchange (BX) will close at 1 p.m. and the Commissary will close at 11:00 a.m.
Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
- NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
- NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
- GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
- GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
- Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/
For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.
