Island residents take heed to prepare for tropical storm

Turbulent weather has been hovering over the island lately – but for many here, this is nothing unfamiliar. Residents we caught up with says they are already experts in weathering the storm. Still, they're not letting their guards down.

It was the calm before the storm: sunny, clear skies hanging over island residents as they braced for the looming impact of Tropical Storm Man-Yi, expected to arrive midweek. But Maimai resident Diana Muna wasn’t fooled by the deceptive tranquility, making a stop at her nearby grocery store to prepare.

“Don’t take advantage of this warning. Prepare–because anything shall happen," she said. Muna was already a step ahead in getting ready before Guam Condition of Readiness 3 was activated at noontime today. 

“Taking down some canopies, putting away important information and documentation, and just preparing ourselves–catching up on food," she said.

And just next door, Albert Patdu, also racing to secure his home, buying plywood at a hardware store, with the wrath of 2023's Typhoon Mawar in mind.  “Bad," he recalled. "It was bad.”

That hard experience now driving him to be even more prepared for what may come.

It’s a spirit of vigilance shared by boater Billy Wong as he safeguards the “Bill Buster” at the Hagatna Boat Basin. To note, Guam continues to be under a small craft advisory and rip current statement. 

Wong told KUAM News, “The last supertyphoon, a couple of boats sunk in here because the fuel pump isn't pumping the water out from the boat. So, make sure batteries are fully charged, and before and after the typhoon, you've got to come and check the boat.”