ANTICIPATED threats from tropical storm 05W has prompted Gov. Juan N. Babauta to declare tropical storm condition 3 for Rota as of 2 p.m. yesterday.
Storm condition 3 was declared on Guam as of 12 noon yesterday.
Tropical storm condition 3 means that the storm is expected to hit within 48 hours.
Heavier rains and stronger winds are expected, and residents are cautioned against strong currents along the reef lines.
The Emergency Management Office, in conjunction with the National Weather Service-Guam, also issued a small craft advisory.
The tropical storm was expected to pass this Friday afternoon at about 183 statute miles west-southwest of Saipan, EMO said.
Tropical depression 05W—which developed into a tropical storm as of 1 p.m. yesterday—was located at about 185 statute miles south of Guam or about 223 statute miles south of Rota and 300 statute miles south of Saipan.
In an interview, Deputy EMO Director Mark Pangelinan said the government was continuously monitoring the movement of the tropical storm.
“We encourage the public to prepare for the storm,” Pangelinan told Variety before meeting with the governor and other government agency heads regarding preparations for the tropical storm.
EMO, in a special weather bulletin issued at around 2:30 p.m. yesterday, said the tropical storm had sustained winds of 40 miles per hour, moving northwest at 16 miles per hour.
The tropical storm was expected to pass about 112 statute miles west of Rota this afternoon.
Improved weather conditions are expected on Saturday to Sunday, EMO said.
“Beachgoers and mariners are advised to exercise caution due to strong currents along the reef lines,” EMO said.
‘Erratic motion’
At around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the National Weather Service reported that the storm was about 140 statute miles south of Guam—a path further west of the island.
“This significantly reduces the storm’s threat to Guam. Storm conditions are possible in the next 12 to 24 hours. It is recommended that appropriate caution be taken in the event that conditions deteriorate,” according to Guam’s Office of Civil Defense.
NWS said tropical storm 05W was heading toward the southern Mariana Islands in an erratic motion.
Mike Ziobro, NWS meteorologist, said Guam should be getting the tail end of the storm today.
An NWS report said residents should be aware that a storm surge with heights reaching up to 1 to 2 ft. in open bays and over open reefs was possible along the path of the storm.
The next update was expected to be at 9 p.m. last night.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is also “on alert,” according to its spokeswoman Pamela Mathis.
She said CUC, as a standard operating procedure, will make sure that all utilities supplies are available and all the staff are aware of the latest weather conditions to be able to respond effectively if something occurs.
Mathis advised parents to make sure that their children are not playing in the rain or climbing the trees to avoid electrocution during bad weather conditions.
