by Sabrina Salas Matanane, KUAM NewsSunday, June 27, 2004 Subscribe to Sabrina's newsfeed
Island residents have been advised to get prepared for damaging winds to sweep through Guam. As of 8am Sunday morning the National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Typhoon Watch for Guam and Rota. A Typhoon Watch means that typhoon conditions are possible within 48 hours, and a Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions with damaging winds of 39 miles per hour or more are expected within 24 hours. As of 11am Sunday, the center of Tropical Storm Tingting was located near 13.8 degrees north latitude and 149.3 degrees east longitude, placing the storm approximately 305 miles to the east of Guam and 255 miles to the east-southeast of Saipan. Tropical Storm Tingting is continuing to track northwest at 12MPH. Maximum sustained winds are 60MPH with gusts up to 70MPH, and the storm is expected to slowly intensify. According to the NWS, the current forecast track brings the center of Tingting across Saipan by Monday morning and bring damaging winds to Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan beginning early at that time. A change in the storm's track could put any of these islands in its direct path. According to Governor's spokesperson Shawn Gumataotao, Governor Felix Camacho declared the island in Condition of Readiness "3" at midnight Sunday. Gumataotao adds Tropical Storm Tingting will make its closet point of approach Monday morning at 8am. Additionally, the Guam International Airport Authority announced the cancellation of flight service for all commuter flights between Guam and Saipan for Sunday. All commercial air carriers continue to provide normal service. We'll have more on this developing story throughout the day.To see the latest satellite imagery of weather for Guam and the surrounding region, click here.