Residents stock up, prepare for 'unpredictable' storm

With Tropical Storm Chan-hom closing in on the Marianas yesterday, many residents flocked to gas stations, stores and laundromats to stock up on storm necessities and make preparations.

Intermittent rain showers poured from gray skies throughout the day.

Mongmong resident Liwina Louis, 40, stopped at a Mobil station in Hagatna to gas up her car ahead of the storm.

"I just hope it's not coming," she said.

Mobil cashier Fina Guevarra, 47, said the station yesterday was packed with cars lining up for gas.

She poured a full tank, stocked up on food and had already secured her storm shutters at home, she said.

Some residents also decided to use the day as an opportunity to wash their clothes in case power went out from the storm.

Inarajan resident Cecilia Naputi, 55, came to MTM Laundromat in Hagatna with her niece.

"I'd rather prepare myself because down south, power and water is unpredictable," she said.

After they finished laundry, Naputi said they planned to stop at 7 Day Supermarket in Yona to buy candles and canned food.

Tamuning resident Aliza Tibayan, 29, folded clothes with her boyfriend at MTM Laundromat.

"It was supposed to be an enjoyable holiday weekend, but we have to stay home for the storm," Tibayan laughed.

After laundry, the next thing on the list for Tibayan was groceries.

While many residents in the past couple days have said they aren't worried about the approaching storm, Riano Kiosy, 60, was feeling the opposite sentiments.

"I'm scared," he said on Thursday. "I'm scared of the storm."

Kiosy was standing next to a pavilion at Paseo Riverside, where he said he, his wife and two sons have been sleeping every night for the past five years.

He said he moved to Guam from Chuuk to find work, but hasn't been able to find a job.

Only the pavilion and surrounding trees have protected the family from heavy winds and strong rain during past storms, Kiosy said.

He said his family stays at the pavilion because he was unaware they could seek refuge at island storm shelters.

"We just stay under the tree and come inside (the pavilion)," he said. "When the rain comes, we just stay under the rain."

The PDN plans to inform the family when shelter listings become available.

The listings normally become available once the island is declared in COR 2, which means damaging winds are expected in less than 24 hours.

Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said residents without transportation can go to the nearest mayor's office. Buses headed to shelters will pick them up. Department of Public Works provides the buses.

Hofmann advises those who plan to stay in shelters to bring at least three days of clothing and food.

Individuals can indicate they are homeless when they register at a shelter and will be directed to organizations that can assist them, he said.

He said many mayors will pick up residents who need transportation to a mayor's office.