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Storm intensifies as it bears down on region
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Posted on Jan 15 2005
Tropical Storm 01W continues to intensify as it makes its way toward the Commonwealth, which was placed under Typhoon Watch as of 2pm yesterday.
The watch means typhoon conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
The Emergency Management Office and the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, said that typhoon conditions may be felt tonight and into tomorrow if the storm continues on its forecast track.
Forecast for Saipan and Tinian tonight to tomorrow features damaging winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts of up to 70 mph. Heavy rains are expected with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
EMO indicated that in the event of a direct hit, winds may increase to 50 to 60 mph from variable directions for several hours.
As of press time, the storm was located near latitude 7.8 degrees north and longitude 146.1 degrees east, or about 505 miles south of Saipan, 500 miles south of Tinian, and 430 miles south of Rota.
It is moving west-northwest at 12 mph, and is expected to move into a more northward track over the next 24 hours from the time the advisory was issued.
EMO director Rudolfo Pua indicated that the agency is working with the Department of Public Works in dispatching heavy equipment to different areas in the case flooding and road damage occur. He said the storm is expected to dump about eight inches of rain, and is also urging motorists to take precautions when driving due to flooded roads, debris, and water rapids.
“Right now we’re just taking precautionary measures,” said Pua yesterday.
He urged the public to secure loose objects in their homes, should the forward movement of the storm as well as its strength intensifies.
“The NWS forecast says the storm is going to come in our region, just east of our region then heading north before it starts turning east,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that forecasts are “basically a prediction” and the direction may change.
“We would continue to closely monitor the storm,” Pua said. “We are issuing an advisory at this point in time, until such time that the governor declares tropical storm condition II, meaning the Emergency Operation Center is activated and where response activity coordinators are activated as well as first responders.”
