By John O’Connor
For Variety
HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Guam has emerged from another major storm following the passage of Super Typhoon Bavi late Monday night. The storm left behind some broken traffic lights and various other damage. The powerful typhoon arrived just a couple of months after the Marianas weathered Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April.
Certain roads were said to be impassable or unsafe during the storm, but all main roads were clear by late Tuesday morning. However, parts of Marine Corps Drive between East Hagåtña and Piti were covered in some sand and other minor debris.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero stated in a video message early Tuesday morning that the road to the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port in Piti had been inundated by waves but was cleared, and goods and fuel could pass through.
“No worries in the area of fuel transport,” she said.
According to the Port Authority of Guam, Black Construction helped the Department of Public Works clear the port access road.
PAG’s recovery efforts include conducting a comprehensive damage assessment, inspecting various areas and equipment, removing debris, coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard and federal partners on harbor conditions and operational readiness, and preparing for the resumption of cargo and vessel operations following assessments and regulatory requirements.
By 10 a.m. Tuesday, the island was back in Condition of Readiness 4. Only essential government of Guam workers were required to report to work, while others could go back on a case-by-case basis. But the whole of GovGuam was set to reopen for business on Wednesday.
The A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority resumed flight operations Tuesday.
A few traffic lights had power as of late Tuesday morning, and even fewer were operating properly. Guam Police Department officers directed traffic at major intersections on Tuesday.
The Yigo Gym suffered some flooding, more so than what happened during Sinlaku, according to Yigo Mayor Frances Lizama. She and staff were cleaning the gym Tuesday morning in case it needed to be used as a tier 2 shelter.
The Tamuning Gym fared worse, however. Caution tape was wrapped around the entrance of the facility. Multiple shutters had been blown open, and some other damage could be seen inside.
Power and water
Guam Power Authority engineers and line crews began full assessments and restoration efforts Tuesday. Their initial priorities include transmission lines to energize substations and water well issues.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, GPA reported that 83% of substations had been energized, which accounts for 25 critical substations out of 30 in total, while 25% of feeders/circuits were online.
Substations have to be energized first before distribution feeders or circuits can be energized.
The Guam Waterworks Authority had urged residents to practice strict water conservation measures as it worked to restore water services. This includes refraining from washing vehicles and pressure washing until all zones are pressurized.
“GWA is aware of areas experiencing low to no water pressure in Agana Heights, Barrigada, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Dededo, Mangilao, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Yigo, and Yona,” a Joint Information Center release Tuesday afternoon stated.
Parts of Agana Heights, Sinajana, and Yigo had been restored, the release added.
GWA and GPA are making assessments to address power issues, and as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, 68 wells are online or on generator power, according to the JIC release. Ninety-seven water wells were online as of midnight Monday.
“GWA inspectors will be visiting homes and businesses to seek compliance with special water conservation measures. As GWA personnel work to restore reservoir levels and system pressure, the community is advised to practice strict water conservation during recovery efforts. Refrain from washing vehicles and pressure washing activity until all zones have been pressurized,” the JIC release stated.
VA clinics and hospitals
The Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System had to adjust operations due to Bavi.
The Guam VA clinics will open intermittently from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Wednesday, according to a release. Clinics will be available for walk-in patients who can safely travel on their own.
“VA staff continue outreach to affected Veterans and are rescheduling disrupted appointments as needed. Clinics will return to normal operations as conditions improve and safety assessments are completed,” the VA release stated.
The Guam Regional Medical City will resume normal outpatient services on Wednesday, while patients with appointments affected by Bavi are being contacted for rescheduling, according to a release from the private hospital.
General patient visitation will also resume at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the release added.
The Guam Memorial Hospital, the island’s only public hospital, resumed hospital visitation and family viewing by noon Tuesday.
Outpatient clinics, elective procedures, and scheduled patient appointments are set to resume at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
The public hospital sustained no major structural damage from the storm, and minor facility impacts, including limited water intrusion, were addressed by hospital personnel and did not impact patient care, according to a release from Guam Memorial Hospital Authority.
GMHA’s emergency department cared for 47 adults and 13 minors, including four storm-related injuries, from 10 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Tuesday, the release stated.
GMHA also sheltered 17 expectant mothers during that time, and two babies were delivered safely, the release added.
