Guam in COR 2; Port Authority Operations Suspended; All Residents Urged to Stay Out of the Water
Governor Places Guam in COR2:
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero placed Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 at 10:00pm (22:00) Saturday July 4. In coordination with the Government of Guam, Joint Region Marianas declared Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) 2 at the same time.
Hazardous Weather Through Wednesday Afternoon:
The National Weather Service provided a forecast update to the Government of Guam. According to NWS, Guam can expect:
● Hazardous weather conditions, including tropical storm force winds of 15 mph or more, are expected to gradually increase across the island tonight.
● Peak conditions Monday, with a closest point of approach to Guam Early Monday Morning.
Stay out of the water; conditions are life threatening.
Dangerous sea conditions are expected to last until Tuesday. Damaging Tropical Storm force winds of 39 mph or more from Super Typhoon Bavi are expected this evening.
PAG and Coast Guard Place Port in Weather Condition Zulu
At midnight (12:00 am) (0000) Sunday July 5th the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port placed the Port Authority of Guam under Port Heavy Weather Condition ZULU. All commercial cargo and vessel operations have ceased. No vessels may enter or depart the harbor without authorization from the Captain of the Port; and access to Port facilities is restricted to essential emergency personnel.
On Saturday Port personnel secured critical infrastructure, the container yard to include refrigerated cargo and containers storing hazardous materials, cargo handling equipment, administrative facilities, utilities, and operational assets to protect the Port and position it for an efficient post-storm recovery.
All storm preparations have been completed, and the Port has transitioned into full storm readiness posture. General Manager Rory J. Respicio thanked Port employees and its maritime partners preparing the facility for Bavi’s arrival. “Our focus is now entirely on the safety of our employees and protecting the Port throughout the storm," he said.
GM Respicio urged the public to avoid the Port, its marinas, and surrounding waterfront areas throughout the storm. Mariners should continue to follow all directives issued by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, and everyone is encouraged to monitor updates from the National Weather Service Guam and Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense.
Stay out of the water; conditions are life threatening. Dangerous sea conditions are expected to last until Tuesday.
Combined seas of 5 to 8 feet and moderate to fresh northerly winds will continue to increase tonight as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches the Mariana Islands. Sea conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, with wave heights forecast to reach between 25 and 35 feet late Sunday through Monday, and up to 45 feet possible near the center of the storm. Hazardous marine conditions, strong winds, and heavy showers will persist through the passage of Bavi before gradually improving as the storm moves west-northwest by Tuesday night. Mariners and the public are urged to stay out of coastal waters and complete all preparations immediately.
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) Suicide & Crisis Lifeline remains available 24 hours a day. Individuals experiencing emotional distress before, during, or after the storm may call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Visit the following links for the latest 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/
● JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10