While it was a sunny on the drive down, when Typhoon Dolphin does reach Guam, the southern part of the island is expected to face a majority of the storm's force.


Along Tun Obing Flores Street in Inarajan, Kea Flores says flooding is a natural occurrence, noting, "We can't help it, but we're pretty much used to it and we already know what we to do and where things go, so we're pretty much just waiting for it. Hopefully, it doesn't hit too hard," she said.


In fact, preparing for floods from heavy rains and storms has become so common that preparations from past storms and typhoons remain in place. "That's been like that since the last time they had a typhoon, we just leave the freezers on blocks," added Flores.


According to the National Weather Service, the southern part of Guam is expected to take a brunt of the storm during Dolphin's closest approach. Several areas in the southern part of Guam have become prone to flooding including on Route 4 along the Barcinas Residence in Merizo, which has become a problematic area during heavy rains.


Merizo mayor Ernest Chargualaf has raised concern about this area for years and says his residents have enough experience knowing what to expect already, telling KUAM News, "And almost every storm, the southern part of the island is hit most of the time, so I'm pretty sure the precautions are nothing new to our villagers, but it's better to be safe than sorry."


And because the mountains down south help induce heavier rainfall, NWS says southern villages should experience flooding and drainage issues. Joe Santiago said, "Because it's the debris that causes the floods not the rain itself, so the sooner we remove the debris the more we're able to address the flooding problem."


Two backhoes are already situated in Merizo and an excavator was seen passing on the road as KUAM spoke with Santiago, who lives along Route 4 with his family. "It's been a long time since we had a typhoon, so the one thing about us is we're prepared already," he shared. Santiago came home from work to prepare for the storm putting away everything and anything that can be lifted by any flood. He says having the equipment on standby helps.


"Because once this place gets flooded it's hard to pass by, unless you have a vehicle like mine, that's the only reason why I lifted my truck like that for situations like this," he said.


And while flooding has reached anywhere from three to five feet, Santiago, like many residents we've spoken with, say they will not seek emergency shelter. He said, "We're resilient and the thing is we're very family oriented, so when one is in trouble, you always have family there to help no matter what."


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