The Government of Guam in coordination with the Department of Public Works and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, will open an official typhoon debris disposal site at Ypao Point on Thursday, July 09, following Super Typhoon Bavi.
The opening coincides with critical infrastructure recovery efforts across the island, including the restoration of 29% of the island's power system load. Proper waste separation at the disaster recovery site is mandated to protect public health and maximize Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for local recovery efforts.
The disposal facility, located at the former Guam Memorial Hospital site, will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until Saturday, July 25. The site is restricted to green waste and construction debris, which includes lumber, plywood, glass, steel, and corrugated tin. Household garbage, electronics, hazardous waste, appliances, and furniture will not be accepted. To ensure safety and secure the site nightly, entry lines will close daily at 4:30 p.m. Utility restoration remains a primary operational priority for recovery officials. As of July 08, the Guam Power Authority reported that 97% of its major substations, representing 29 out of 30 locations, have been energized.
Additionally, 30% of distribution feeders and circuits are online, with 20 out of 67 feeders currently providing partial power. The island's peak electricity demand reached 59 megawatts, compared to a normal target demand of 255 megawatts. GPA crews are focusing resources on transmission lines, substations, water wells, and wastewater services before addressing isolated village outages.
In addition to utility recovery, essential housing assistance programs are scheduled to resume operations. The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority will reopen its Housing Recovery Application Center at the Agana Shopping Center on Thursday, July 09. Funded through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, the center provides public access to computers, internet access, and scanning equipment to support residents completing applications for the Fix in Six housing recovery initiatives. The facility will open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with walk-in assistance concluding daily at 2:00 p.m.
Safety officials have also issued urgent warnings for the public to remain completely out of the water due to life-threatening marine conditions. A high risk of rip currents is in effect through Friday afternoon, creating hazardous conditions along south, west, and north-facing reefs. A coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, with dangerously large breaking waves up to 16 feet and minor coastal flooding expected.
Additionally, a high surf warning is active until 4:00 p.m., Thursday, forecasting waves up to 16 feet and coastal inundation of one to two feet, particularly along west-facing shores. The public is strictly advised to stay off jetties, piers, and all other waterside infrastructure due to these life-threatening swimming conditions. mbj
