By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher | Associated Press
Federal assistance will be needed to save lives and property and “mitigate the effects of this imminent catastrophe,” Guerrero said in a letter to the president requesting a “pre-landfall emergency” for Guam. Officials warned residents who aren’t in fully concrete structures — many homes on the far-flung island are made of wood and tin — to consider moving.
If Guam doesn’t take a direct hit, it will be very close, said Patrick Doll, the lead weather service meteorologist in Tiyan, Guam. A storm surge of 6 to 10 feet above the normal high tide was expected and could reach as high as 15 feet . Surf was expected to build sharply in the next day or two along south- and east-facing reefs, with dangerous surf of 20 to 25 feet into Wednesday, the weather service said.
Guam resident Albert Eliasson told KUAM News he is stocking up and battening down, including making sure to have enough water to drink and flush toilets.Oshean Saralu told KUAM he is also doing everything he can to prepare for a direct hit. “We usually pack everything up for most of our stuff inside our garage and just secure everything, especially the windows,” he told KUAM.