5/24/2023 9:08:00 AM until 5/24/2023 6:00:00 PM

CATEGORY 4 TYPHOON MAWAR CONTINUES A SLOW APPROACH TOWARDS GUAM... Corrected details in Guam inland flooding section .NEW INFORMATION... None. .AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides important information and recommended actions for people in Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Guam will see the devastating impacts from Mawar. .Watches/Warnings... A Typhoon Warning continues for the Guam and Rota. Damaging winds of 39 mph are occurring. Typhoon force winds of 74 mph or greater are expected later this morning. A Tropical Storm Warning and a Typhoon Watch continues for Tinian and Saipan. A Flood Watch is in effect for Guam and the Northern Marianas. Please listen closely for any Flood Warnings that might be in effect for your area. .STORM INFORMATION... At 8 AM ChST...the eye of Cat 4 Typhoon Mawar (02W) was located near latitude 12.8N...longitude 145.7E based on a PGUA radar fix. This was about 75 miles southeast of Guam. Storm motion was towards the north- west at 6 mph. Storm intensity is currently 140 mph. .SITUATION OVERVIEW... Mawar continues its approach towards Guam. Passage very near or directly over Guam is imminent. The latest forecast from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) indicates that Mawar may strengthen slightly on approach to Guam with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, with gusts approaching 175 mph at landfall. This is expected to occur over the next few hours, prior to making landfall. The triple threats of Cat 4 Typhoon Mawar are, torrential rains that may result in landslides and flash flooding, catastrophic wind, and life-threatening storm surge. This is expected for Guam, with potently catastrophic coastal flooding for southeastern and southern portions of Guam if a southern Guam or Cocos passage is realized. A mandatory evacuation order was initiated by the governor of Guam yesterday. Storm surge potential is extreme, please see the storm surge and surf info below, as a large storm surge and coastal impacts are expected, particularly for coastal areas just north of the eye of Typhoon Mawar on the east to southeast sides of Guam. Guam and the CNMI are all in COR 1 by their respective governors. .PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... All preparations for the protection of life and property should now be complete. You should be in a fully-reinforced concrete structure, especially on Guam. During the storm...stay inside and away from windows. Do not venture outside when high winds are occurring or during temporary lulls as flying debris can easily, and suddenly, cause serious injury. If the eye passes over you on Guam, extreme winds will suddenly cease. This is not the end of the typhoon. REMAIN IN SHELTER as extreme winds will rapidly resume. Have a well-charged cell phone nearby, keeping network communications as open as possible for emergencies. Once conditions have improved, remain in shelter until the all-clear, COR 4, is announced from government officials. Closely monitor NOAA weather radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for the latest forecasts. && .NEXT UPDATE... The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tiyan around 3 PM...or sooner if conditions warrant. ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... ...TYPHOON WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT... ...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... IT`S TOO LATE to make any further preparations. Comply with any evacuation orders. Shelter in place until the local governments gives the "all clear" and conditions are raised to TCOR 4. && ...Winds... East to northeast winds will become damaging around noontime with winds in the 30 to 40 mph range with gusts to around 55 mph. Higher winds are likely for elevated terrain such as Capitol Hill. Winds are forecast to increase through the day as they shift to an easterly then southeasterly direction. Typhoon conditions are still possible, but this hinges on a northward drift with Typhoon Mawar. Power outages are possible. Corrugated metal and plywood could be stripped from poorly constructed homes. Wooden power poles could be tilted. Poorly constructed signs could be damaged. Banana, papaya and fleshy crops could see damage. ...Storm surge and storm tide... Storm surge of 1 to 3 ft above the normal high tide is expected along south and eastern shores. Coastal erosion is possible but not expected to be significant. There could be minor to moderate pier damage for coastal areas exposed to the south and east. Large boats could still be torn from moorings. Moderate damage is possible. Surf will build sharply today along south and east facing reefs with dangerous surf of 8 to 15 feet building to 15 to to 20 feet. Hazardous surf is likely to spread to west facing reefs Friday as Mawar moves west into the Philippine Sea. ...Inland flooding... A Flood Watch is in effect for Saipan and Tinian. Listen for possible flood warnings...and be ready to act if flooding rains occur. Heavy rainfall is possible through Thursday with rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches. This is most likely if Mawar`s outer rainbands train overhead today.