Certainty is growing that Bolaven is moving away from Guam as it more probably now threatens Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, according to the latest information from the National Weather Service Guam office’s chief meteorologist, Landon Aydlett.
“Right now, we can breathe a little easier in Guam,” Mr. Aydlett said. “But not so much for the Northern Marianas.”
In a 10:30 a.m. briefing to the Guam Emergency Operations Center, Mr. Aydlett said that while Guam is not out of the woods yet, the likelihood of the southernmost island of the Marianas receiving typhoon-strength winds this week are dwindling. And the likelihood of a typhoon directly hitting Rota, Tinian, or Saipan are increasing.
As of now, the forecast says that some time Tuesday night, now-Tropical Storm Bolaven is expected to make its closest point of approach north of Rota as a category-1 or category-2 typhoon. That can change, as the Joint Typhoon Warning Center believes rapid intensification may happen within the next 36 hours as the storm approaches the Marianas.
Any shift south could bring greater wind speeds to Guam. Any shift north could spell more trouble for Tinian and Saipan.
“We will continue to be on the track of Condition of Readiness 2,” Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said in a public video message with Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio. “As you know the track is going north-northwest, and we wish our brothers and sisters from the CNMI the best. I just got off the phone with Governor Palacios and offered our assistance in any way we can.
“We also are very concerned about our safety and our preparation here. So, please, you know the drill. You know the tips. Please continue on doing so.”
“We still will receive damaging winds and a lot of rain,” Mr. Tenorio reminded the public. “So if you have any relatives living in conditions that are threatening, please offer support. Check on them.”
