Sinlaku downs power, water, telecom in Guam; 1,800 tourists stranded
- Admin
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
By Jayvee Vallejera
Except for power engines that supply electricity to the hospital, hotel row and military installations, Guam Power Authority's power plant units were knocked out by Super Typhoon Sinlaku late Tuesday night.
Guam remains on Condition of Readiness 1, with damaging winds and gusts of up to 75 mph still occurring throughout Wednesday morning. Typhoon watch is also still in effect.
About 1,800 tourists are stranded in Guam hotels, according to Guam Visitors Bureau spokesperson Lisa Bordallo.
Guam hotels are assisting these stranded guests throughout the storm, and GVB helps communicate updated information to them, she said.
Bordallo said most of the 700 international participants of last Sunday’s 2026 Ko'ko' Road Race events were able to catch their flights out, but is unsure how many remained behind.
Low to no water pressure service was also reported in parts of Barrigada, Dededo, Maite, Mangilao, Sinajana, Yigo and Yona.
GPA said its crews are now scrambling to repair damaged substations and distribution lines to ensure all power plants are brought online as soon as possible, in an update today.
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Early this morning, GPA crews were already out patrolling lines and clearing hazardous debris from lines and roads, even as strong winds and gusts of up to 75 mph continued to buffet the island.
GPA said the heavy winds prevented immediate repairs because it was unsafe to use their bucket trucks. Repair work will start once the winds subside.
GPA confirms it has enough stocks on hand, including poles, wires and transformers, as well as crews and equipment to complete repairs.
The first priority will be to repair transmission lines and synchronize the northern and southern systems, followed by restoring the island-wide transmission loop.
“This would bring power to all substations in sequence on both the eastern and western sides of the island,” GPA said. "There are 29 substations on the island.
Once the substations are energized, power can now flow to distribution feeders, which feed customers’ homes and businesses.
GPA does not expect any shortage in its capacity to generate enough electricity.
GPA said Super Typhoon Sinlaku did not cause an island-wide system blackout during the storm, but it split the power system into two—north and south.
GPA’s Dededo plant continued to supply power to northern loads, including the Guam Memorial Hospital, the Tumon hotel row underground system, Andersen Air Force Base and Camp Blaz Marine Base.
GPA’s Piti plant remained operational throughout the storm, delivering power to Naval Station Guam and other naval facilities.
The Ukudu Power Plant was operational through the storm until late Tuesday night. Other units at the plant were on standby.
GPA said it is aware of all customer outages throughout the island. It encourages its customers to limit their calls to critical issues such as down lines, blown transformers and low voltages.
“Please stay away from all down lines and equipment, as they may still be energized and can cause harm if you come in contact with the lines or equipment. Consider such situations as dangerous and life-threatening,” it added.
Although several villages in Guam have reported low or no water pressure, 72 of the Guam Waterworks Authority’s wells remain online, it said in a status update today. Of that number, six wells are operating on GPA electricity, while 66 wells are on generators.
As of 9:38 a.m., the Ugum Surface Water Treatment Plant was placed back online. It is producing water using a generator.
GWA said it continues to assess its water and wastewater treatment plants, sewer lift stations, booster pumps, reservoirs and wells.
GWA has not received any report of sewer backups or overflows at this time.
GWA advises the community to conserve water as recovery efforts continue. It said the unnecessary use of water could place excessive stress on the pressure within the water distribution system.
“Refrain from washing vehicles and pressure washing or flushing driveways and sidewalks and limit water use in the kitchen and bathroom,” it said
All of GTA’s six main locations in Guam are operational and running on generators. Fifty-five percent of its cell sites are operational.
GTA said it will be inspecting all landline and wireless networks starting today once winds have subsided, but its initial assessments indicate limited damage.
IT&E said it is also inspecting its fiber and mobility network to identify and address any damage. Technical teams have been deployed across the island.
Restoration efforts are focused right now on critical hubs and sites supporting government operations, healthcare facilities and first responders.
The community is reminded to remain indoors until Condition of Readiness 4 is declared.
“If movement is absolutely necessary, use extreme caution. Be aware of dangerous hazards, including downed power lines, damaged trees, and debris in the roadway. Assume all downed lines are live and dangerous,” said the Guam Police Department in an advisory.
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