How to Survive a Typhoon on Guam

This applies to people living in concrete houses on flat or elevated areas. Those living in wooden houses, in low areas, or near the ocean shoreline should seek shelter in a nearby school or community center. Why? Wood can’t stand super-typhoons, low areas attract floods, and the waves are killer.

At least a day before the Typhoon strikes. Condition 3~2

1. Prepare the bare necessities ( lots of bottled/clean water for drinking, fill the bathtub and sink with water for sanitation purposes, store a relatively large amount of canned or dehydrated foods, buy batteries for the radio and flashlights, fuel for the car, ice for the fridge, candles for night light, matches, can openers, and etc.)
2. Protect your home by covering windows with typhoon shutters or improvise with wooden boards at least ½ inch thick … For wooden boards, drill some 1 inch diamter holes so you can see outside and have some natural light during the storm.
3. Secure loose objects that can fly away i.e. trash cans, mail boxes, bicycles, hollow blocks, plant pots, the car rims you don’t use any more, and that BBQ pit. These are the main killers and objects that cause the most property damages!
4. Shut off propane tanks and other gas related utilities and if not using a surge protector, unplug electronic appliances.
5. Confirm that everyone including the pets are accounted for inside your home before the actual hit (at least by condition 2)

During the actual Typhoon. Condition 1

1. Stay low. If you have a 2 story house, stay in the 1st. If you live in an apartment, take refuge in an interior room farthest from the exterior area and away from windows.
2. Equalize the pressure in your house by having at least one small window (facing away from the wind and rain) slightly open to decrease the chances of a sudden build-up of internal pressure and remember to switch windows after the eye because of change in wind direction. Failing to equalize, theoretically increases the chances of your windows imploding inward. Anyway, to be safe stay away from glass windows.
3. Watch for water leaks. It's natural to have water leaking through your windows and doors... just make sure you have rags and sponges to keep the leaking controlled to avoid indoor flooding.
4. Listen to the battery-powered radio for real-time updates. Sometimes, typhoons develop into super typhoons right when it comes on top of Guam.
5. Chillax, wait, and be productive.

{youtube}J1GtQr7eL-k{/youtube}Courtesy of YouTube and cyclonejim and Barbara White

Aftermath of the Typhoon (The Real Danger)

1. Wait for official confirmation that the typhoon has gone and that your area is safe.
2. Watch out for downed power lines and pools of water (if you see any, immediately inform the Guam Power Authority, Guam Fire Dept.)
3. Inspect for signs of instability in structures around you and where you plan to go.
4. Clean up and while doing so, watch out for nails, broken glasses, animal carcasses, up-rooted trees, and other hazardous objects.
5. Check up on your neighbors to see if they need help.

Final tip. Learn how to barbeque like a pro… It could take a while to get everything back in order. After Omar, many residents didn’t have electricity for several months and no water for weeks (tap was undrinkable because of contamination).  Good Luck!

*The writer of this guide is a survivor of six super-typhoons (Russ, Omar, Yuri, Paka, Chata’ an and Pangsona).