Guam back in COR 4: 'No known major damages'

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Joint Region Marianas Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman declared a return to Condition of Readiness 4 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the governor saying that Guam has not sustained major damages.

In COR 4, government of Guam operations resume but Guam Department of Education public schools and Catholic schools will remain closed for Wednesday. GDOE employees are to report to work by 12 p.m.

"We are very blessed and fortunate that there are no known major damages. Houses are up. Commercial buildings are intact. All RISE roofs that have been done are standing strong. FEMA tents are up. Every part of our island is pretty much safe," the governor said in a video message shortly before 10 a.m. 

The governor thanked residents for their adherence to warnings and for following requests to prepare and plan for the storm.

"Without that, I think we wouldn't be in a very safe place right now. As a result of that, I am declaring Condition of Readiness 4 at 10 am. All government agencies will be open and operational," she said.

But the weather, she said, would still be a little treacherous with rain from Bolaven's tail end.

"Please continue to be safe. We 've been very blessed that this storm didn't hit us with damaging winds. Now our work returns to restoring this island and continue to support all our efforts in recovery,' Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said in the same video message.

Guam was spared the brunt of Typhoon Bolaven. Its closest approach to Guam was at 50 miles around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Most businesses have resumed operations.

But while the island dodged Bolaven, it still got heavy rains, flash floods and strong winds that kept most residents indoors and businesses closed for most of Tuesday.

Bolaven started pulling away from the Marianas late Tuesday night.

It developed into a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, and held steady for six to 10 hours, and then passed right between Rota and Tinian Tuesday night. Bolaven's closest point of approach was about 20 miles from Rota at about 5 p.m. and 25 miles from Tinian at around 7 p.m. Tuesday, NWS said.

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At first light Wednesday, the governor did a windshield assessment of damages. This was followed by a decision to return Guam to COR 4.

All major thoroughfares were clear of any major debris and accessible. The community is reminded to conduct assessments around their homes in a safe manner, the Joint Information Center said.

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," JIC said.

As of 7 a.m., 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 has been canceled for Guam as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are no longer expected for Guam. 

Stay out of the water

Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions, JIC said.

Hazardous to dangerous sea and surf conditions are still expected. High risk of rip currents is in effect. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from the shore into deeper water.

Residents and visitors of Guam and the CNMI are advised to remain out of the water. Residents and visitors are also advised against venturing along trails close to the water or shoreline, as high surf can knock a person down and sweep them off beaches and rocks. These waves can be deadly, even for the most experienced swimmers.

Reopening updates

• Guam Community College campus will open to the general public at 1 p.m. Wednesday. All regularly scheduled classes will resume at 2 p.m.
• The U.S. District Court of Guam will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday.