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By Pacific Island News Staff

Court, banks closed due to Mangkhut

The District Court of Guam will be closed for business until further notice in preparation for and in anticipation of Tropical Storm Mangkhut.

All hearings, jury trials, and jury selection proceedings are postponed until further notice. Jurors need not appear at the courthouse until further notice. Any filings due will be considered timely filed if they are faxed to the Office of the Clerk at 969-4488, and the original filed with the court the next regular business day.

Bank of Guam also announces that all of its Guam and Rota branches will close on Monday until Condition of Readiness (COR) 4 is restored and conditions are safe.

All exposed Bank of Guam ATMs will be off-line beginning tonight (Sunday). They will be brought back online when COR 4 is announced and conditions are safe. Indoor ATMS (such as those located inside gas stations and supermarkets) are not affected.

Merchant services (card processing machines) are also not affected. Customer Contact Center (671) 472-5300 remains available until midnight tonight (Sunday), and our Bank of Guam mobile banking app and telephone banking services will continue until COR 1 is announced.

Water and Power Agencies Provide Preparedness Tips and Updates

With concern for the safety of all, the Guam Power Authority (GPA) provides preparedness tips to take before, during and after the storm. Check appliances Make an internal electric inspection of your home or business establishment. Double check all electrical appliances or electrical switches that may have been “ON” prior interruption of power brought on by tropical storm Mangkhut.

Turn “off” all electrical items, especially cooking stoves and irons to ensure safety should electrical power be restored to your home or business during sleep-time hours or when you are away. A small lamp or a single light fixture switched “on” can be used to monitor the power status in your home or business. Once power is restored in your area, you will be aware of it and can resume normal operation of appliances within your home and/or business. Shut off main breakers GPA request the public’s cooperation and assistanceto protect the health and safety of the line crews responding to outages. In case of a power outage and if you are operating a generator, especially a large generator, shutff off the main breakers of all the house or building that are connected to your generator. This will prevent a “back feed” of power from your generator unit into the islandwide power system. Also, when operating an emergency backup generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. Your actions will prevent serious injury or death to GPA’s line crews who are either clearing lines or energizing primary and secondary power lines across Guam. Ensure that a certified electrician has properly installed a “disconnect” switch” to your generator. Owners of personal generators should consult and comply with the manufacturer's operating manuals and other specially-prepared materials provided with their personal emergency generators. GPA further advises the public that when operating personal generators to service homes or businesses, you should ensure that it is operating in an open, well ventilated area to prevent adverse effects from inhalation of fumes. For your personal safety and the safety of your family members or employees, double check and make sure that your generator is not in an enclosed area or located next to your air conditioner's air intake and/or other air ducts leading into the dwelling areas in Voltage fluctuations During and after a storm or typhoon, the Island Wide Power System may be unstable, with abnormal high or low voltages, or fluctuating voltage being experienced in homes and commercial establishments. If you detect voltage fluctuations such as extremely bright lighting or very dim lighting emanating from lamps or lights, immediately unplug your “sensitive” appliances which include: refrigerators, air conditioners, computer and computer-related equipment, microwave ovens, etc. Then immediately report this electrical problem to GPA’s 24-Hour Trouble Dispatch at 475-1472/3/4. Your prompt action may prevent damage to your appliances caused by power surges/spikes or power dips. Guam Waterworks Authority

The Guam Waterworks Authority advises customers to start filling water containers in anticipation of the approaching storm now and throughout the weekend. GWA is monitoring production and reservoir levels, and seeks the assistance of the public in avoiding extremely high demands just before the storms anticipated arrival.

Furthermore, GWA Operations personnel are making all possible preparations for the storm, and are making every effort to avoid any loss of service. We appreciate the public’s patience and assistance as we continue these efforts.

For more information, please contact 646-4211, GWA’s 24/7 water line number.

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