JIC Release No. 28 - Utility Update: Guam Power Authority - GHS OCD

Utility Update: Guam Power Authority

GUAM POWER AUTHORITY RESTORATION UPDATE 12:00P.M., 15 SEPTEMER 2018

The Guam Power Authority (GPA) continues its systematic Typhoon Mangkhut power recovery and restoration. Ninety-seven (97%) percent of the island is restored with power. As customer load continues to increase, island wide power system reliability will continue to stabilize.

GPA is working full force in the north, central and southern sectors. GPA crews continue their 24- hours/7-days work schedules, clearing all paths to bring power to all customers who can safely receive the service.

On Saturday, September 15, 2018, GPA crews continue working systematically:

Clearing paths and making repairs for restoration to loop in and energize all of southern Guam
Working to bring power to customers without power; who have yet to receive power.
Respond to trouble calls and reports of low voltage, flickering power, power fluctuations, downed power lines
To energize all GDOE schools
Focusing on making repairs in the more challenging village and neighborhood areas where clusters of customers do not have power, but their surrounding neighbors do

All GPA customers are advised that periodic or multiple 30-minute outages or power interruptions may occur throughout the post-storm restoration period, as the island wide power system continues to stabilize:

For any emergency situation
To allow GPA to energize additional customers onto a circuit serving an area already energized
Or, when an already energized power line fails after being energized, from heat causing weak points on a line restored after typhoon damage

Customers and residents are continually reminded that safety is paramount for all working crews. Working systematically and safely each step of the way, GPA will complete power restoration island wide. Every customer’s electrical power who can receive the service will be restored.

Customers should immediately call GPA's 24-Hour Trouble Dispatch at 475-1472/3/4 to report all emergency and safety issues:

ELECTRICAL EMERGENCIES:

vegetation existing and/or falling onto power lines
sparking on power lines
fallen lines
blown fuses
transformer issues
broken cross-arms
damaged insulators
other power line and pole top issues affecting their service

SAFETY and PROTECTION of ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS:

low voltage power
over voltage conditions; extremely bright lights
partial power
power fluctuations
flickering power
interruptions of service despite being previously energized

Fallen or downed power lines should be considered energized or “LIVE.” Never attempt to contact the downed lines in order to avoid severe injury or death. Immediately call GPA's 24-Hour Trouble Dispatch at 475-1472/3/4 to report all downed power lines.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Release No. 28 - Utility Update: Guam Power Authority