By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam's daily routine returns to normal today following the passage of Typhoon Bolaven, which left the island unscathed on Tuesday night.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman declared Guam in Condition of Readiness 4 at 10 a.m. today,
The governor's assessments of the island's major thoroughfares show no major debris and that roads are accessible.
Officials advised residents to conduct assessments around their homes in a safe manner.
Government of Guam operations resumed at 10 a.m.
At the Guam legislature, the emergency session for measures pertaining to Guam Memorial Hospital, postponed due to Typhoon Bolaven, will be called to order at 2 p.m. today.
Speaker Therese Terlaje certified that "emergency conditions exist" at GMH "to justify an emergency session.
Joint Region Marianas, Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz conducted assessments and declared the All Clear. For all military base personnel, please report to work when it is safe for you to do so. For base patrons, please continue to visit the JRM Facebook page as well as each of the individual military installation social media pages for all of the latest information about the return to steady state and the availability of services.
As of 7 a.m., Typhoon Bolaven was located 16.4 degrees north latitude and 144.3 degrees east longitude, about 205 miles north of Guam, moving north-northwest at 10 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
The typhoon watch and tropical storm warning have been canceled for Guam as of 8 a.m. today.
Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are no longer expected for Guam. Typhoon Bolaven passed between Rota and Tinian, staying just north of Rota, with the closest point of approach to Rota and Tinian of around 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday.
Residents are advised to remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions. High risk of rip currents is in effect. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from the shore into deeper water.
Guam Department of Education classes, including after-school sports activities and the ASPIRE program, will remain closed for the day. Additional information regarding classes resuming and make-up days will be issued at a later time. GDOE employees should report to work by 12 p.m. today.
GDOE opened six emergency shelters for the duration of the storm.
The government of Guam, village Mayors, American Red Cross, and the Office of Homelessness of Poverty and Prevention, are working to identify individual assistance needs as the shelters close.
The Archdiocese of Agana announced that classes will remain closed at all Catholic schools pending assessments of their respective facilities after the storm.
Bank of Guam announces the reopening of Hagåtña Headquarters, Familia Contact Center, and all Guam and CNMI Branches at noon today.
“While Guam was spared from the worst of Typhoon Bolaven, our thoughts
remain with our Familia in the Northern Marianas for their safety and well-
being. As with past storms, Bank of Guam remains committed to doing what
we can to help in the recovery efforts," said Joaquin P. L.G. Cook, president and CEO.
Guam Regional Medical City will resume normal visiting hours at noon.
The Cancer Care Center at GRMC commenced operations at 10 a.m. today. Patients with scheduled appointments for other Specialty Clinics and elective surgeries in the Operating Room are requested to arrive at their designated times.
United Airlines announced that today's flights between Guam and Saipan will be delayed. UA 174 will depart Guam at 7:30 p.m. and arrive on Saipan at 8:20 PM. UA117 will depart Saipan at 9:10 p.m. and arrive on Guam at 10 PM. This schedule is subject to change based on conditions on Guam and Saipan.
Assessments are ongoing at the Port Authority of Guam following the passage of Typhoon Bolaven.
The Port remains in Port Heavy Weather Condition Zulu which is a designation by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port. In this designation, the port and marinas remain completely closed to any incoming traffic, and all cargo and bunker operations.
Preliminary assessments conducted at first light revealed Port facilities sustained minor damage from Typhoon Bolaven. Assessments will continue throughout the day to include the condition of the gantry cranes.
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