Camacho defends emergency declaration decision

by Michele Catahay

Anticipating the worst with Tropical Storm 18W out on the water, Governor Felix Camacho signed a Declaration of Emergency just before noontime Wednesday.  The declaration authorized $250,000 in General Fund appropriations for expenses associated with Guam's preparation and recovery efforts.

Like the Tropical Storm Warning declared earlier in the day the emergency declaration was called off but the funds will go toward paying equipment costs and overtime incurred from the storm preparations.

Governor Camacho says the community should remain vigilant, saying, "We're fortunate that this has diminished. Again, it's been really erratic. There is way of really being extremely accurate but the best is to be prepared: keep your communication lines open. Try to monitor the news that comes out and prepare best to secure your home or wherever you're staying in."