As Guam started recovery efforts following the battering it received from Typhoon Mawar, island residents began to clear debris from their properties and island roads. Many left their homes early in the morning of May 25, CHamoru Standard Time, for work or to seek out food, water, gasoline, generator fuel or other essentials.
Most residences and businesses were without power and water though there were some areas that had some or low water pressure. Guam Power Authority already had crews out at various villages. Typically, following a storm, GPA works to repair and restore main lines before moving to smaller streets. Residents who have fallen power lines near their homes are urged not to go near them and to call 671-475-1472, 671-475-1473, or 671-475-1474.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero urged residents to stay home to allow government employees to return essential services to the island. Krystal Paco-San Agustin, director of communications in the Office of the Governor told the Journal just after 11 a.m. on May 25 CHamoru Standard Time that “crews are assessing and addressing those affected areas.”
A boil water notice was issued the afternoon of May 25, with residents in the South of Guam asked to conserve water, due to high turbidity in the Ugum river.
The island’s three gas station chains – 76 Circle K, Mobil and Shell – were assessing damage and safety the morning of May 25 before opening. All of them have convenience stores.
South Pacific Petroleum Corp.’s 76 Circle K was preparing to open its gas stations on May 25 it said early afternoon, with the Dededo store being the first to open.
Lines were already forming at that station just before 2 p.m., according to Journal readers. Its convenience stores do not have ice.
A Shell station in Tamuning is open for government responders and equipment only.
Pay-Less Supermarkets are not yet open. Katherine R. Calvo, CEO told the Journal the condition and any damages were being noted by store managers. The stores did not have water for sale, she said.
As to whether stores would open on May 26, she said, “Possibly some, but not all.”
“This morning we’ve been doing assessment and taking pictures,” Calvo said.
Major quick service restaurant chains are not yet open – mainly due to lack of utilities, particularly water. According to Journal sources, mom and pop stores are open. Most hotels on Guam have back up systems for power and water, according to Mary P. Rhodes, president of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association.
“When we did our assessment, the hotels would have enough supplies for up to two or three weeks if they are operating at full capacity,” she said. “This would primarily be for inhouse guests, since they accommodate a lot of first responders who travel to Guam to assist with post-typhoon recovery.” Hotels would also be conducting needs assessments and damage assessments, Rhodes said, and might not be open to the public.
Photos circulated on social media of flooding at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam. Rumors also are circulating that the runway was damaged.
Airport officials have not responded to requests for confirmation. The Guam Visitors Bureau said on May 25 that the airport was affected and suffered water damages but will be cleaned and reopen as soon as possible.
At least one hotel in Tumon has suffered structural damage, according to social media posts.
The island was hit by Typhoon Mawar with winds of about 145 miles per hour. The picture that greeted residents on May 25 was of trees toppled or stripped of leaves and branches, vehicles overturned, flooded roads on the island’s main thoroughfares and other roads, and damage to commercial and residential property.
There are downed trees and some flooding in Rota, residents told the Journal, the morning of May 25. Some residents were without water that day. Water was shut off at 4 p.m. the day of the storm, to prevent turbidity as Typhoon Mawar passed the island.
Stores that are open, according to island residents:
Uncle Cho - Mangilao
Shine Market - Chalan Pago
New MTM Market – Mongmong Toto Maite
Happy Mart - Barrigada
Uno Mart
New Campus Mart (cash only) – Mangilao
Kanada Mart – Barrigada
New Macheche Mart – Barrigada
Dine Store – Barrigada
Circle K/76 Gas Station – Dededo, Ypao open (Barrigada is in the process of opening as of 3 p.m.)
Alageta Market – Dededo
Business that are reopening can contact us to be added to the list. Please send a WhatsApp message to +1 (671) 687-2505. mbj