Guam and Rota now under typhoon warning, damaging winds expected within 24 hours

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 1:30 p.m.

Weather officials have updated Guam and Rota to a typhoon warning, which means that damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 24 hours, with typhoon force winds expected by Wednesday morning.

A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Tinian and Saipan, although a Typhoon Watch remains in effect for both islands.

Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are now in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas as the islands prepare for either a direct hit or a close passage from Typhoon Mawar on Tuesday evening or Wednesday.

The typhoon is expected to have maximum sustained winds of about 115 mph as it passes through the islands. That would be a category 2 or category 3 typhoon, on an index of 1 to 5.

“All of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan are likely to experience at least tropical storm-force conditions midweek,” said warning coordination meteorologist Landon Aydlett, who provided a storm update Monday morning at the Civil Defense building in Agana Heights. “Any one or several of the islands in the chain could take a direct hit or a near-miss.”

Government storm shelters are scheduled to open 5 p.m. Monday, according to the governor’s office, and a list of the sites will be distributed sometime today.

Tropical storm-force winds are expected in Guam starting Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, which advised residents to be fully prepared for the typhoon no later than sundown on Tuesday. Tropical storm-force winds are between 39 mph and 73 mph, with gusts to 94 mph.

Guam can expect as much as 11 inches of rain during the next few days, according to the Weather Service — more if the typhoon slows down as it passes. Guam can expect scattered showers on Monday, with rainfall increasing on Tuesday.

The typhoon, which had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph as of Monday morning, recently shifted to the west, which means it’s more likely to pass through the southern islands, Aydlett said. “A direct hit to Tinian and Saipan is still possible, but less likely,” according to the Weather Service.

The typhoon was 355 miles south-southeast of Guam, moving north-northwest at 6 mph, as of 11 a.m. this morning.

There is about a 90% chance that Guam will experience at least tropical storm-force winds, Aydlett said, and a nearly a 40% chance it will experience typhoon-force winds.

The latest forecast states the typhoon is expected to pass through the Rota channel, between Rota and northern Guam, but the track could change.

“The earliest reasonable arrival time for tropical storm-force winds is around Tuesday afternoon,” Aydlett said.

He said Guam remains in a typhoon watch, but it could change to a typhoon warning sometime Monday.

Village mayoral offices will be staffed 24 hours a day during the storm to answer calls from residents, according to the governor’s office.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the island’s price-gouging law took effect when the governor put the island in condition of readiness 2, which means it is illegal for merchants and landlords to increase prices until the island returns to condition of readiness 4.

Local and weather officials continue to monitor Typhoon Mawar as it tracks toward the Marianas Islands.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero placed Guam in Condition of Readiness 2 at 8 p.m. Sunday. At COR 2, the government of Guam, with the exception of essential services, will not be operational and will remain closed until COR 4 is announced.

School updates:

• The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Central Office operations and school sites are closed:
• There are no GDOE classes today. GDOE schools that have been identified as emergency shelters will be operational for shelter by 5 p.m.
• The Guam Education Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled to 5 p.m. May 30.
• DoDEA schools will remain open today.
• The Archdiocese of Agana, Catholic School classes are canceled today, and the Catholic schools will remain closed until COR 4 is announced.
• The University of Guam is closed today, and will not be open until COR 4 is announced.
• The Guam Community College is closed today and will not be open until COR 4 is announced.

Shelter information will be provided today:

The GDOE is preparing to open certain emergency shelters at 5 p.m. today. 

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Guam Legislature operations closed today:

Upon declaration of COR 2, the Guam Legislature will be closed for public services until COR 4 is restored.

Judicial court closed:

The Judiciary of Guam announced the closure of the Judicial Branch upon declaration of COR 2, until the declaration of COR 4 by the governor of Guam. All hearings, jury trials, jury selections, and grand jury proceedings will be rescheduled.

GSWA update:

The Guam Solid Waste Authority will continue operations with trash pick up today. Assessments will be made and an update on GSWA operations for the remainder of the week will be provided.

United flights operational today:

United flights will operate as scheduled today, and the United City Ticket Office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. United customers who are scheduled to depart Tuesday and Wednesday are encouraged to check united.com or the United app for the most current flight information as a result of Tropical Storm Mawar.

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority update:

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority will announce the time that pregnant mothers may begin coming to the hospital.

When that time is announced, GMHA will begin receiving pregnant mothers who are 36 weeks or more along and all high-risk pregnant mothers who are 24 weeks or more in their pregnancy.

GRMC update:

The Guam Regional Medical City will maintain regular operating and visiting hours until 8 p.m. today. Should weather conditions worsen within 24 hours after the announcement of Condition of Readiness 2, GRMC will then announce the suspension of visiting hours.

The GRMC Lung and Infectious Diseases Clinic has converted physical appointments to Telehealth until further notice. All other outpatient appointments and elective surgeries scheduled on Monday will be contacted for rescheduling accordingly.

During suspension, all visitors, except patient watchers, will be asked to leave the hospital.

All admitted patients may have one patient watcher. Patient watchers must obtain an approved emergency patient watcher badge from Customer Relations in the Main Lobby. Note, patient watchers are encouraged to bring food (that does not require refrigeration) for the duration of the storm. Meals will only be provided to patients.

For more information, contact GRMC’s Marketing & Communications Department at (671) 687-5572 or (671) 971-1347 or via email at marketing.mailbox@grmc.gu.

What should you do:

The community is advised to finish the following preparedness actions by today:

• Stay up to date – monitor local news, National Weather Service and the Joint Information Center;
• Put up shutters. Do not wait for winds to increase by Tuesday;
• Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds such as canopies, tarps and trampolines, before inclement weather arrives;
• Keep emergency preparedness kits readily available, with battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries;
• Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag;
• Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach;
• If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage;
• Ensure pets are part of your emergency plans (i.e. have enough supplies, bring them indoors, plan to keep them with a loved one or family member);
• Do not camp, park, or hike along streams, rivers, and creeks. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning;
• Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear;
• When you’re done securing your homes and you know someone elderly, living with a disability, or who will otherwise need help, please see how you can help them. If you know a neighbor or family member who has no way of getting information about the storm, please let them know the updates.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory 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