GUAM — Guam is now in Condition of Readiness 1 as Typhoon Champi approaches the island with Category 3 conditions expected.
Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero placed Guam in COR 1 at 1 p.m. Saturday, with residents advised to remain indoors until COR 4 is declared.
Officials said Champi is expected to pass just south of or over southern Guam late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Category 3 conditions include sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 140 to 164 mph.
All of Guam is expected to experience typhoon-force conditions. Residents in southern villages are being urged to leave coastal and flood-prone areas because of the threat of life-threatening coastal inundation.
Conditions were expected to begin deteriorating Saturday afternoon, with damaging winds possible by early evening and typhoon-force winds beginning as early as 6 a.m. Sunday.
Officials are urging everyone to be inside a safe, reinforced shelter before sunset.
Guam’s All Hazards Alert Warning System sirens will be used during the storm to broadcast emergency alerts and instructions.
A sixth emergency evacuation center, Inalåhan Middle School, is scheduled to open at 2 p.m. for residents in the southern region. Five other evacuation centers are also open across the island.
The Southern Region Community Health Center will remain available for minor injuries and basic urgent care needs.
