Guam remained in Condition of Readiness 1 and Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1 Tuesday afternoon as Super Typhoon Sinlaku passed north of the island, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and ongoing utility disruptions, according to Joint Information Center updates on Tuesday.
Officials again warned residents to remain indoors until COR 4 is announced.
Sinlaku passes north of Guam
As of 2 p.m., Sinlaku was located at 14.6N and 146.1E, about 100 miles northeast of Guam. The storm was moving northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph.
Guam remained under both a tropical storm warning and a typhoon watch. Rainbands continued moving over the island, where gusts between 70 and 80 mph had already been recorded.
Officials said the current forecast track keeps the center of Sinlaku passing over or near Tinian and Saipan as a destructive Category 4 typhoon late Tuesday evening.
Damaging conditions expected to continue
Officials said Guam’s closest point of approach was expected between 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday. Even after that point passes, damaging winds are expected to continue across the island, creating ongoing risks to public safety, infrastructure and power lines.
Tropical storm-force winds sustained at 40 to 60 mph, with gusts from 60 to 80 mph, and heavy rain were expected through early Tuesday evening. Winds of 39 mph or more were expected to continue until Wednesday afternoon.
Peak conditions were expected Tuesday, with heavy rain bands and destructive winds. Officials also warned residents to stay out of the water, saying sea conditions are life-threatening and expected to remain dangerous through the end of the week.
Power restoration continues as outages spread
The Guam Power Authority said crews were continuing restoration efforts as multiple outages caused by storm winds affected areas across the island, including downed transmission lines impacting most customers in southern Guam.
Officials said GPA is prioritizing those outages along with critical feeders, though additional outages are likely as wind gusts increase. Crews will continue working until field supervisors determine conditions are no longer safe.
GPA said the island’s power system has now severed itself between the north and the south, and the main goal is to avoid a total system blackout in order to allow for a quicker recovery.
Officials also urged residents to stay away from downed power lines, keep at least 30 feet away and report them immediately to GPA’s 24-hour trouble dispatch line.
Water system reports multiple outages
The Guam Waterworks Authority said it is aware of multiple outages across the island caused by the super typhoon.
GWA crews were continuing operations until it is no longer safe to do so and will resume when conditions allow. Officials said the Ugum Water Treatment Plant was secured as an operational precaution at 11:15 a.m. because of high turbidity in the Ugum River caused by heavy rainfall. The plant remains on standby power generation.
As of 2 p.m., GWA said 85 wells remained online, including 28 on the island-wide power system and 57 on standby power generation.
Officials said sewer pump stations and wastewater treatment plants remain online, and no backups or sanitary sewer overflows had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.
Customers were urged to report low or no water pressure, backups or overflows to GWA dispatch.
Governor speaks with FEMA, CNMI and Hawaii leaders
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero held a conference call with Karen Evans, the acting administrator of FEMA, and thanked federal officials for deploying personnel to Guam and the Marianas, as well as for the approval of her requested pre-landfall Presidential Emergency Declaration.
Officials said that action authorized FEMA to coordinate disaster relief and help lessen or avert a catastrophe under Title V of the Stafford Act.
Leon Guerrero also spoke with CNMI Gov. David Apatang, offering prayers and support as the Commonwealth prepared to feel the brunt of the storm. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green also called Tuesday to extend his best wishes and offer support if needed.
Officials warn against illegal dumping
The Joint Information Center also renewed its warning about an unofficial photo circulating on social media that identifies temporary waste disposal sites.
Officials said the locations shown are preliminary and not final, and the public should not bring trash or debris to any site until official locations and operating hours are announced.
The Guam Environmental Protection Agency warned that premature disposal will be considered illegal dumping. Officials said dumping debris and household waste during storms can clog drains, worsen flooding, contaminate waterways and lead to fines and criminal penalties.
Residents were asked to report suspicious dumping activity, including the date, time, location, type of waste, vehicle description and license plate information.
Hospitals and clinics continue essential care
Officials said Guam Memorial Hospital Authority and Guam Regional Medical City both continue to provide essential hospital services, including 24/7 emergency room operations and inpatient care.
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services also continues to accept patients at the Northern Region Community Health Center and Southern Region Community Health Center.
Officials said the centers are available for minor, non-urgent and urgent but stable patients, as well as for basic medical care and nursing services. Oxygen support is also available for oxygen-dependent patients, though patients must bring their own portable oxygen concentrator and nebulizer. Only one companion is allowed per patient.
Crisis lifeline remains available
The GBHWC Suicide and Crisis Lifeline remains available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Community members can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
