The Government of Guam will be closed on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Hagibis continues toward the Marianas.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has placed Guam in Condition of Readiness 2 as of 6:30 p.m. Monday. At this time, Joint Region Marianas and all Department of Defense (DOD) installations will remain in TCCOR 3 as a result of a different threshold for the onset of destructive winds.
The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor what is now Super Typhoon Hagibis. As of 4 p.m., Hagibis was located 15.5 degrees north latitude and 148.2 degrees east longitude, about 165 miles east of Saipan and 270 miles east-northeast of Guam. Super Typhoon Hagibis is moving west-northwest at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Guam can expect damaging winds of 39 mph or more by early Tuesday morning. The maximum winds expected for northern Guam are between 40-50 mph. The maximum winds for southern Guam are 30-40 mph. At this time, destructive winds of 58 mph or more and typhoon force winds of 75 mph or more are not expected for Guam.
Strong thunderstorms are now affecting western Guam coastal waters. Strong thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts up to 45 knots, torrential downpours, and frequent lightning are expected. Mariners can expect gusty winds up to 45 knots, locally higher waves, frequent lightning strikes, and visibility of less than a half mile due to torrential rains. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately.
A typhoon warning remains in effect for Saipan, Tinian, Alamagan, and Pagan Islands, meaning typhoon conditions, including destructive winds of 74 mph or more, are expected later this evening. Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected soon.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, Rota, and Agrihan islands, meaning tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected tonight.
A flash flood watch is in effect for Guam through Tuesday afternoon, meaning conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Frequent locally heavy downpours can cause streams to overflow their banks and low-lying areas to flood quickly. There is potential for 3 to 5 inches of rain across Guam with locally heavier amounts.
Emergency shelters will open at 7 a.m. Read instructions here on what to bring to the shelters.
The Government of Guam, Guam Department of Education schools, Guam Community College, and University of Guam will remain closed until Condition of Readiness (COR) 4 is announced. DODEA and Catholic schools will also be closed on Tuesday. Public hearings at the Legislature are postponed until further notice.
The University of Guam will reopen after COR 4 has been declared and UOG officials have assessed the campus. For the latest campus updates, check www.uog.edu/updates or connect with UOG on Facebook and Twitter.
The community is reminded to practice extreme caution if traveling in rainy conditions:
Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Immediately move to higher ground if flash flooding occurs. Water levels can rise rapidly and sweep people away. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away
Stay away from storm drains, culverts, creeks, and streams.
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. If the water is moving, do not leave the car.
Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.
Flight cancellations
Below is the list of canceled flights and destinations:
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3105 originating from Incheon, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3106 originating from Incheon, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3153 originating from Pusan, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3154 originating from Pusan, Korea
Philippine Air Flight No. PR110 originating from Manila, Philippines
Philippine Air Flight No. PR111 originating from Manila, Philippines
United Airlines Flight No. UA117 originating from Saipan, CNMI
United urges our customers to check the latest status of their flights at united.com or by calling United Reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).
At the Judiciary of Guam, all employees have since been directed to prepare for the impending storm and monitor all court management and public communication channels on when to return to duty. Due to the closure of the Judiciary and in anticipation of the onset of damaging winds, all hearings, jury trials, and jury selection proceedings at the Guam Judicial Center and the Northern Court Satellite will be rescheduled.
Magistrate Hearings will be held at the earliest opportunity following the declaration of COR4 by the Governor of Guam.
All petit jurors and grand jurors should check the Judiciary of Guam's jury recording system after 5:00pm when COR4 is declared for Guam for their next jury instructions. Any court filings due while the court is closed, shall be deemed timely filed if filed when the court re-opens for regular business. Also, the Guam Law Library and the Judicial Education Center is closed and will re-open for normal operations at the direction of the Chief Justice.
Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood has ordered that the District Court of Guam be closed until noon on Tuesday. Court employees are to report to work at 12:00 noon unless ordered to do otherwise. All hearings scheduled for Tuesday morning will be rescheduled.
Interruptions of electric power service are likely to occur as winds and rain increase or intensify, according to the Guam Power Authority.
GPA power plants will continue generating power throughout the island as long as the island wide power system (IWPS) remains intact and circuits (overhead transmission and distribution power lines) are operable. As circuits begin experiencing damage related to adverse weather or field conditions, generators will be secured.
GPA field crews will secure in place or seek adequate shelter to ensure the protection and safety of all personnel.
Operations, including power generation, grid assessment and restoration efforts, will recommence when conditions are deemed safe. After the tropical storm or typhoon passes, a systematic plan for restoring power to vital community services first, and to all customers will be set in motion.
Updated information about restoration will be provided regularly to all local media outlets, Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense every 6-hours, and updates posted on GPA’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GuamPowerAuthority)
The Guam Regional Medical City has suspended all visiting hours until Guam has been returned to COR 4. All visitors, except for patient watchers, have been asked to leave the hospital. All admitted patients may have one patient watcher per patient. Patient watchers must obtain an approved emergency patient watcher badge from Customer Relations in the Main Lobby. Patient watchers are encouraged to bring food for the duration of the storm. Foods that do not require refrigeration are recommended. Meals will only be provided to patients. All appointments scheduled for Tuesday will be contacted for rescheduling.
The Guam Memorial Hospital began accepting expectant mothers at 8 p.m. and will continue to accept expectant mothers should they decide to come in later. This is for expectant mothers who are at least 38 weeks pregnant and all high-risk expectant mothers who are six months or more into their pregnancy.
Mothers are asked to check with their healthcare providers for guidance if they are unsure if they have a high-risk pregnancy. Upon arrival, check in at GMHA’s Patient Registration Department on the first floor. Expectant mothers will remain at the hospital for the duration of the storm until it is determined safe to return to their homes.
All expectant mothers are asked to enjoy a complete meal before they check into the hospital. Sleepers, pillows and blankets will be provided. All expectant mothers who need to come to GMHA are asked to bring the following for their comfort and convenience:
ID and insurance cards;
Drinking water and snacks that do not need refrigeration or heating;
Any needed medications;
Personal toiletries (soap, toothbrush, lotions, etc.);
Change of clothing;
Small entertainment devices, reading materials, playing cards, board games, etc.
At this time, the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam remains open and will continue with normal operations.
U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers will be open Tuesday. Patients will be contacted if there are changes to scheduled appointments. Patients are encouraged to contact the centers directly for more information.
Telephone numbers:
U.S. Renal Care – Dededo: 637-3068
U.S. Renal Care – Finegayan: 588-0020
U.S. Renal Care – Sinajana: 475-3600
U.S. Renal Care – Tamuning: 646-3516
U.S. Renal Care – Tumon: 646-3773
GDOE Dengue Informational Briefing
The Guam Department of Education and Department of Public Health and Social Services dengue informational briefing scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Merizo Elementary School is postponed until further notice