GUAM ALERT RAISED TO CON-2; U.S.S. KittyHawk Goes to Sea

[Cyclone Runner]

Guam in Condition "2" in preparation for Typhoon Chaba
by Zita Taitano, KUAM News
Saturday, August 21, 2004

The island has been declared Typhoon Condition of Readiness "2" in preparation for Typhoon Chaba. The announcement was made by Governor Felix Camacho at 5pm Saturday this afternoon in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and Air Force commands.
The placing of the island in Condition 2 is based on forecasts that damaging winds may impact the island within 24 hours.

National Weather Service satellite imagery placed the center of Typhoon Chaba was located near 14.3 degrees north latitude and 151.9 degrees east longitude, or about 480 miles to the east of Guam and 415 miles to the east of Saipan. Typhoon Chaba is moving west at 12 miles per hour and is expected to continue at its current path over the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are 80 MPH with gusts up to 100 MPH. Typhoon Chaba is expected to intensify with typhoon force winds extending outward and up to 15 miles from the center.

In the meantime, tropical storm force winds will extend outward up to around 105 miles from the storm's center.

And if you haven't done so, here are some helpful preparation tips to defend against any possible bad weather over the next few days. Family indoor preparation tips include securing all important documents in a plastic bag that can be sealed, covering all beds and other items with plastic to keep water from seeping in, rolling carpets up away from doors, arranging flashlights, lanterns, candles, and matches in places where they can easily be found.

When or if the power goes out, unplug all appliances and ensure all range controls are in the off position.

Helpful preparations for outdoors are to secure all loose items such as garbage can lids, empty drums, gardening tools, and lawn furniture, take down all lawn umbrellas and temporary canopies, secure typhoon shutters on windows, remove or water proof window air conditioners ensure that the main gas valve is shut off. Residents are advised to stay indoors until Condition Four is declared.

Finally, you should have an emergency supply kit on hand, which include portable stoves, battery-operated clock/radios, toiletry items, medication, matches, ice, extra clothing, first-aid kits, plastic bags, candles, paper and/or plastic products, non-perishable food and lots of water.

In the meantime, the U.S.S. KittyHawk cut short its port visit to the territory because of the impending typhoon. Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Arwen Conaul tells KUAM News sailors were called back to the aircraft carrier and prepare to sail out to sea. Also heading out are the U.S.S. Honolulu, the U.S.S. Salt Lake City and the U.S.S. Gary. The KittyHawk was in for port visit following the Joint Sea and Air Exercise 2004.


For the explanation of the Guam "Con" System
http://www.guam.navy.mil/weather/metoc/ ... itions.htm
http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=38013

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator

http://www.afap.org/apcedi
http://www.afap.org/
http://www.birdquest.net/

[Guest]

hopefully all the people on guam ride this on out ok.

[B-Bear]

I was in the Pacific on a Guided Missile Destroyer in 1987, somewhere between Tonga and Hawaii, if I recall correctly, and we were hit by a typhoon. It was amazing to be on a ship through a storm like that. The ship was listing so severely that when you were walking down the passageway you would find yourself walking on the port bulkhead, then the deck, and then the starboard bulkead, as the ship was listing back and forth in the storm. We must have been listing at least 45 degrees regularly, and there were times when I seriously thought we were going to roll over.

[Karebear]

Okay Cyclone Runner really didn't need to read that one. I know Guam according to my sis is built to hopefully withstand the typhoons but still fear for her and her family. I can't believe I am going to say this, please keep up on the updates and thanks.

[Cyclone Runner]

Don't worry Karebear

I am paid to track cyclones for a living although I mostly get involved with the South Pacific ones. This sibling cyclone situation is a meteorological phenomenon that is scientifically very fascinating although unfortunately potential disastrous. Anyway I will keep everyone well updated as I am glued to the satellite images to see every permutation of this.

As for Guam and the Northern Marianas, they are very accustomed to major storms, and know well what to do.

My feeling is that the Guam Government will go to Con 1 at daybreak. On the JWTC forecast course, damage on Guam will be moderate but not severe. Unfortunately the situation for Rota and Saipan is more bleak, and damage there could well be severe if the forecast course holds.

My major worry is still with the populated areas of Southern Japan as significant loss of life from flash flooding is a hugely looming possibility if some of the potential scenarios and models play out.

[Cyclone Runner]

The Government has just published a list of shelters for the storm.

STORM SHELTERS

Civil Defense provided the following list of potential storm shelters. Residents are urged to closely monitor their radios, TV news station or the Pacific Daily News online at http://www.guampdn.com, for information about when these shelters will open.

Northern

Upi Elementary School, Yigo

F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, Yigo

Maria Ulloa Elementary School, Dededo

Central

George Washington High School in Mangilao

Ordot/Chalan Pago Elementary

Southern

Talofofo Elementary School

Inarajan Middle School



Preparation: Ryan Parial, 25, left, puts up a typhoon shutter panel as his cousin, Mia Felipe, 34, right, helps at their Barrigada home. The two were preparing their home for the approaching Typhoon Chaba.

[Karebear]

Okay will have to call sis tonight. She lives in Yigo. How bad is this thing suppose to get? This is the first time I had heard of them opening shelters, but really never followed them till she moved there. My sis tells me a bad typhoon hit before she moved there and people are still living in tents. She has been there for almost 2 years now. Yep I will have to call, hopefully I can still get through.