BREAKING NEWS: NMI govt closed, classes suspended

Due to the threat that the approaching Typhoon Mungkhut poses, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres will cancel all public school classes and all government offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Typhoon Warning Condition 3 has been declared for the entire CNMI.

Because of this, Torres said all Public School System classes will be closed on both Monday and Tuesday as well as government offices.

The Office of the Governor is working on releasing a public announcement as soon as possible.

According to a Joint Information Center advisory as of 1pm, Sept. 8, 2018, Guamanians are being urged to prepare for a worst-case scenario with Tropical Storm Mangkhut.

Meteorologists say it will likely turn into a Category 4 typhoon by Tuesday but it could strengthen to a Category 5 typhoon.

At this point, damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected by Monday night.

All Guamanians are urged to have preparations completed and to have families secured at their homes by Monday evening.

As of the latest National Weather Service Guam Weather Forecast Office advisory at 11am Saturday, the tropical storm was located 13.7 degrees north latitude and 162.3 degrees east longitude; about 1180 miles east of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

The tropical depression will continue its westward track and is expected to intensify, possibly becoming a Category 5 typhoon by the time it reaches Guam late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

A Category 5 Typhoon is referred to as a “Devastating Typhoon” with maximum sustained winds of 157-194 mph and peak gusts of 199-264 mph.

A Category 5 typhoon has the ability to be life-threatening to those that do not prepare in advance.

These projections may change as the intensity and conditions have the ability to worsen.

INDOOR PREPARATIONS

1. Roll up carpets away from doors and windows

2. Make lighting supplies easily accessible

3. Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach (forecast to be by late Monday)

4.  Make sure family members know where the emergency preparedness kits are at; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc.

5. Visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information on what to include in your supplies list

6. Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag

7. Cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage

8. Stay up to date in the event there are changes in weather conditions

OUTDOOR PREPARATIONS

1. Secure your home—put shutters on windows, completely board up your home

2. Make sure the gas valve is shut off once the storm approaches (forecast to be by late Tuesday)

3. Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives

4. Clear vegetation

5. Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items as these have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property

6. Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear

7. Collect water in a 55-gallon drum or plastic containers

For those with solar panels:

1. Do not touch the solar panels—systems are set to withstand up to 200 mph and has been secured, tied down and inspected

2. Remove any debris from the rooftop before the storm, so it does not affect the solar panels

3. Do not try to fix or move the solar panels before, during, or after the storm. Contact the Micronesia Renewable Energy office for this.

4. Discuss your emergency plan with household members. Include pets as part of your plan.

5. Those that live in substandard housing are advised to seek shelter once emergency shelters are operational. A complete list of available shelters will be provided by the Joint Information Center.

6. Guam Memorial Hospital is making preparations for pregnant mothers. More information will be provided by the Joint Information Center.

7. Those that rely on electricity to power machines for health reasons need to make arrangements now with a relative or neighbor with a working generator to stay with them early next week for the duration of the storm.

The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Guam has established Port Heavy Weather Condition X-RAY for the ports of Guam, Saipan, Rota, and Tinian at 8:30am Saturday.