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WeatherMatrix
© 2002 WeatherMatrix.Net - Redistribution
Prohibited. Usage logged.
From: Jesse Ferrell (WeatherMatrix) (jesse{at}weathermatrix.net)
Date: Sun Dec 08 2002 - 10:57:12 EST
I've watched number of typhoons and supertyphoons affect Guam but this one
seems to have really take their communications out. Typically internet
viewers are able to watch the storm on satellite & radar for most of its
trip over the islands. But today I read this from the National Weather
Service in Tiyan, Guam:
SUPER TYPHOON PONGSONA LOCAL STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TIYAN GU 11
PM GUAM LST SUN DEC 8 2002 SUPER TYPHOON PONGSONA POUNDING GUAM AND ROTA
INTERACTIVE MAP OUT OF SERVICE
GUAM RADAR IS OUT OF SERVICE
SATELLITE IMAGERY IS NOT AVAILABLE
THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM ON GUAM IS SUFFERING A FAILURE. WE ARE CURRENTLY
UNABLE TO FAX INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL MEDIA. NOAA WEATHER RADIO HAS FAILED
ON GUAM AND SAIPAN AND THE LOCAL 811 TELEPHONE HOTLINE IS NOT IN OPERATION.
STORM SURGE AND SURF INFORMATION SURF HEIGHTS OF 18 TO 25 FT AND STORM
SURGE OF 7 TO 9 FT WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT. SIGNIFICANT COASTAL FLOODING IS
POSSIBLE ALONG ALL SHORELINES. WIND INFORMATION EXPECT SOUTHWEST WINDS 50
TO 65 MPH...WITH GUSTS TO 80 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT...DECREASING TO 40 TO 50
MPH WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH AROUND DAYBREAK...AND TO BELOW DAMAGING LEVEL LATE
MONDAY MORNING.
Here also is an AP article:
http://www.austin360.com/aas/news/ap/ap_story.html/Intl/AP.V6725.AP-Pacific-Typhoon.html
"The maximum wind speed of 117 mph was clocked before the National Weather
Service's wind sensor failed, along with its radar. With no radar, the NWS
had to use satellite imagery coming in every hour to locate the eye of the
storm. With winds at the center of storm estimated at 150 mph, the storm
gained ``supertyphoon'' status. The Civil Defense Command Center received
reports of downed utility poles, tree limbs and flying debris. At least one
home was believed destroyed, but there were no initial reports of serious
injuries."
And an article from the local TV Station in Guam:
"Winds are sustained at 115-130MPH with gusts to 160MPH. The storm is
expected to make its closest point of approach sometime Sunday
afternoon. Pongsona comparatively stronger – and more dangerous – than
July’s Typhoon Chata’an..."
http://www.kuam.com/news/story.asp?headline=4758
Track Map:
http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/wp3102.gif
Satellite Map:
http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc/satshots/wp3102sair.jpg
Latest Hurricane Statement from the NWS Website:
12 AM GUAM LST MON DEC 9 2002 SUPER TYPHOON PONGSONA NOW MAINLY POUNDING
ROTA A TYPHOON WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GUAM...ROTA...TINIAN... SAIPAN
AND AGRIHAN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TYPHOON. RESIDENTS OF ALL ISLANDS
NORTH OF ROTA NEED TO SEEK SAFE AND STURDY SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. RESIDENTS
OF GUAM AND ROTA REMAIN IN SHELTERS UNTIL THE TYPHOON CONDITION RETURNS TO
4. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR THE CENTER ARE 150 MPH. LITTLE CHANGE IN
INTENSITY IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 12 HOURS.
AP ARTICLE (From Yesterday):
Typhoon begins passing over Guam (Associated Press)
"Winds began to pick up early Sunday afternoon as Typhoon Pongsona started
to make landfall. The 40-mile (64-kilometer)-wide eye of the storm,
packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), was forecast to pass
directly over the island, according to National Weather Service (news - web
sites) meteorologist Bill Ward. Residents could expect winds to increase
to 160 mph (257 kph), before they begin to diminish around 10 p.m. (1200
GMT Sunday), Ward said."
For the full story, go to:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021208/ap_wo_en_po/as_gen_pacific_typhoon_1
-- =================================================================== Jesse Ferrell - Meteorologist / Webmaster / Founder - WeatherMatrix 5000 Weather Enthusiasts Can't Be Wrong! www.weathermatrix.net[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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