JIC Recovery Release No. 25 - Business Sector Disaster Management Assessments; Recovery Efforts Continue; GSWA Update; Recovery Safety Tips; No Burn Notice in Place; Road Safety

Business Sector Disaster Damage Assessments:

Pursuant to the Guam Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans (BSP) conducted a Business Sector Disaster Damage Assessment (BSDDA) of Guam’s business/commercial following the passage of Typhoon Mawar.  BSP, along with representatives from the Guam Visitors Bureau, Department of Land Management, Guam Economic Development Authority, Department of Chamorro Affairs and the Port Authority of Guam conducted the BSDDA on May 26-27 and May 30-31, 2023.

A sample of business establishments were surveyed for damages to building structure, equipment and merchandise. The total dollar damage loss estimate reported by Guam’s commercial sector is $111,791,358 and is specified as follows: $65,010,843 for building damage, $38,378,325 for equipment damage and $8,402,190 for merchandise damage.

A total of 433 businesses were visited including 15 hotels. Of the 434 businesses visited, 231 or 53% of the businesses reported damages (191 provided cost damage estimates and 40 did not provide cost damage estimates); 28 or 6% of the businesses reported no damages; 156 or 36% of the businesses were closed; and 18 or 4% of the businesses declined to participate or no information was provided.

Due to the short time constraints to complete the business damage assessment, the report does not account for potential losses from numerous businesses that closed due to power and water outages shortly after the passing of Typhoon Mawar.

For more information regarding this assessment, contact the BSP at (671) 472-4201/2/3. 

Recovery Efforts Continue:

• The Guam Power Authority continues its restoration efforts, reporting more than 34.5% of customer demand is restored, with crews working 24-hour shifts. The authority has restored 95.8% of substation energization, which includes power to 23 of 24 critical substations that will result in increased power to more residents. Twelve (12) line crew from Commonwealth Utility Corporation (CUC) CNMI will be arriving to Guam in the next few days to assist in recovery efforts.  

• The Guam Waterworks Authority reports that 53% of water systems are online. GWA is working with FEMA to expedite generators to high-producing well sites, and has two currently being deployed, with an additional eight generator installations in progress for pump stations.

• The Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA) public transit services are operational Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The GRTA paratransit services are operational Monday through Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with local and territorial officials to determine Disaster Recovery Center locations. Once open, survivors can visit these centers to receive one-on-one help with their disaster registration process and emergency assistance. 

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has about 135 responders in Guam supporting temporary power, temporary roofing and debris missions. The first generator has been installed to help provide water to a village of roughly 6,000 residents. 

• The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting underwater surveys of transit channels and piers to remove any storm-related debris while its pollution response teams continue to assess vessels in the area. 

• Members of the Hawaii National Guard are deployed to supplement Guam National Guard soldiers through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. 

• Nearly 50% of cell towers are now operational in Guam. 

• Three (3) shelters remain open in Guam with an overnight population of more than 697. 

• Tankers with liquefied petroleum gas and jet fuel are offshore, to be offloaded to help with increased fuel demand throughout Guam. 

• The American Red Cross is providing 1,200 meals per day, two (2) hot meals to shelterees and delivering emergency relief supplies to about 3,000 households, which includes clean up kits to help survivors with their recovery. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the American Red Cross Relief site at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa or call 1-800-733-2767 for more information. 

• The Salvation Army is delivering food to Guam's Department of Youth Affairs correctional facility. 

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a 14-person team supporting response activities in Guam Memorial Hospital and a 15-person team supporting Guam Regional Medical City Hospital. 

GSWA Update:

Since resuming collections on Monday, May 29, 2023, the Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA) has collected over 771 tons of trash. This significant increase in waste requires additional time and resources to ensure proper disposal.

GSWA is in the process of completing Wednesday routes, which is expected to be finished by the end of today, June 1, 2023. Residents who are normally serviced on Thursday will be serviced on Friday, June 2, 2023. GSWA requests everyone’s cooperation in leaving their trash curbside if it has not yet been collected, as GSWA continues to address all pending collections as quickly and efficiently as possible, to all residents in single-family homes and apartments with four (4) units or less, including those who are not registered customers of GSWA.

Recovery Safety Tips:

• Make sure food is safe to eat. Residents should throw out any perishable food in their refrigerator that has not been refrigerated at 40° F degrees or lower or if their refrigerator has been without power for over four hours. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat.

• Be safe using generators. Generators can help during a power outage but can present serious health and safety risks. Only use a generator outdoors and far from open doors and windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Visit Ready.gov/power-outages for more on how to use generators safely.

• Avoid downed power or utility lines. They may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to the Guam Power Authority. Do not cut or cover cables with debris.

• Exercise caution when cleaning and making repairs. Residents who are returning home, should:

  • Wear protective clothing and appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris, and always work with someone else.

  • Document any damage with photographs and contact their insurance company so they can quickly file a claim.

  • Ask for help if moving heavy debris in or around their home.

• Boil or use bottled water. As a precautionary boil water notice remains in effect for Guam, residents should continue to use bottled water or boil their water for cooking, drinking and hygiene.

• Stay tuned to local authorities. With heavy rains forecasted, residents should take these precautions:

  • If driving, be alert for low visibilities and slippery roads in heavy rain.

  • Slow down where water is ponding on the road.

  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

  • Do not camp, park or hike along streams and rivers.

No Burn Notice Remains in Place:

The Guam Fire Department (GFD) maintains a No Burn Notice for the entire community due to ongoing recovery efforts. GFD is focusing efforts on life and property preservation. 

Road Safety for Traffic Control Point: 

The Guam Police Department, and other local Law Enforcement Officers and Soldiers with the Guam National Guard continue to maintain traffic flow within the heavily congested intersections. As a reminder to the community, a vehicle approaching a traffic light at any intersection unmanned without a working light should come to a complete stop.

When approaching a manned intersection, it is advised to proceed with caution and be prepared to stop. With heavy rains and minimal lighting, our officers and guardsmen operate with highlighted vests to assist in increasing their visibility for all motorists. Motorists are asked to adhere to all rules and regulations pertaining to Guam Law Title 16.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

• GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/

• GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

• JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam 

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.