Typhoon Watch

...TROPICAL STORM CHAMPI MOVING RAPIDLY WEST ON APPROACH TO THE MARIANAS... ...CHAMPI LIKELY TO MOVE NEAR GUAM AND ROTA AS A TYPHOON...

.NEW INFORMATION... A Typhoon Warning has been issued for Guam, Rota, and the adjacent waters. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Tinian, Saipan, and the adjacent waters.

.AREAS AFFECTED... This local statement provides information and recommended action for people on Guam, and people on Rota, Tinian and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS... A Typhoon Warning is in effect for Guam and Rota. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Tinian and Saipan. A Typhoon Watch continues for Tinian and Saipan.

A Flood Watch is in effect for all of Guam and the Northern Marianas. Please listen closely for any Flood Warnings that might be in effect for your area.

Please check the latest public and marine forecasts for detailed information about additional hazards.

.STORM INFORMATION... At 200 PM ChST, the center of Tropical Storm Champi (29W) was located near latitude 11.4N and longitude 153.3E, about 300 miles north- northeast of Chuuk and about 590 miles east-southeast of Guam. Storm motion was west, 265 degrees, at 24 mph. Storm intensity was 50 mph. Champi will continue on this trajectory and slow down as it continues barreling toward the Marianas. This general forecast track will take Champi close to, or over, Guam Sunday morning. Champi is forecast to continue intensifying over the next few days, likely becoming a typhoon by Saturday.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW... Mostly benign conditions are expected across the Marianas tonight, followed by a steady increase in showers and winds Friday afternoon, and then deteriorating significantly coming into Saturday night as Tropical Storm Champi continues to move in from the east-southeast. Champi is expected to go through a period of rapid intensification over the next 24 hours, becoming a typhoon by Saturday and strengthening further thereafter. Winds and rain will come in rapidly, with winds becoming dangerous and life threatening very soon after onset. Do not let a false sense of normalcy now dictate your actions tomorrow; prepare NOW!