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High surf advisory in effect
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Posted on Jan 13 2005
The Emergency Management Office has issued a high surf and small craft advisory for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and is urging the public to be aware of rising seas and surf in the region due to strengthening trade winds that would continue to build surf along eastern coastlines of the Marianas through the weekend.
As of 11:30am yesterday, EMO said the Ipan Buoy located just east of Guam reported a wave height of 7ft from the east with a period of four seconds.
“Wave model guidance indicates surf will build to 8-10 feet by [today] and remain hazardous for the next several days,” EMO said.
EMO said the public should take the advisory seriously to avoid injuries or deaths.
Forecast for today indicates east wind of 20-25 knots and combined seas 7 to 8 feet and scattered showers. Tonight, winds are expected to be 20-25 knots with gusts of up to 30 knots and wind waves 5 to 7 feet, and scattered showers followed by numerous showers after midnight.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta is strongly advising the public, especially beachgoers, fishermen, tourists, swimmers, and divers to avoid venturing near exposed beaches and reef lines as wind and wave conditions support high risk of dangerous rip current.
“Rip currents are life threatening to anyone entering the surf,” the advisory reads.
Earlier, a tourist went missing off Hidden Beach after being swept away by a big wave. Search and rescue units conducted four days of search before the operation was called off. The tourist has yet to be found.
