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Ma-On now a typhoon
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Posted on Jul 14 2011
Tropical Storm Ma-On intensified into a typhoon yesterday and passed through Agrihan in the Northern Islands last night at 7pm, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour.
According to the Emergency Management Office, Typhoon Ma-On was moving west at 12 mph and is expected to continue moving near this speed with a slight turn toward the west-northwest in the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds remain at 105 mph. Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. Typhoon Ma-On is expected to resume intensifying in the next 12 hours.
The eye of Typhoon Ma-On was expected to pass about 130 miles north of Pagan between 4pm and 6pm yesterday, according to the National Weather Service in Guam.
NWS advised residents of Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan to complete preparations for damaging winds before these arrive early afternoon yesterday.
“Tie down or bring indoors loose outside objects that may be blown around and make sure any watercraft are secured,” NWS said.
Small craft, NWS said, should remain in port, while people are advised not to attempt inter-island travel until winds and seas subside.
Acting governor Eloy S. Inos urged the public, especially those in the Northern Islands, to closely follow the progress and evolution of Typhoon Ma-On through the Emergency Management Office and local media.
From 75mph at 2am yesterday, Ma-On’s maximum sustained winds increased to 90mph at 7am, then to 105mph at 1pm.
By 7pm, the center of typhoon was 95 miles north of Agrihan, 145 miles north of Pagan, 175 miles north of Alamagan, and 350 miles north of Saipan.
NWS said strong west to southwest winds will produce dangerous surf of 12 to 16 feet yesterday afternoon and Friday on southern and western exposures in the northern islands.
Heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches is likely through Friday night, and wind may cause damage to buildings and trees, while flooding in low-lying areas in the Northern Islands are expected, NWS said.
