Emergency shelters across Guam were seeing sharply different occupancy rates in the north versus the south early Monday as Typhoon Sinlaku bore down on the Marianas, according to data released by the Guam Department of Education.
As of 2:12 a.m. Monday, April 13, northern shelters were operating at or near capacity. Machananao Elementary School was the most crowded at nearly 85 percent occupied, while Astumbo Elementary School was at approximately 69 percent capacity. Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School stood at roughly 57 percent occupied.
In central Guam, George Washington High School — the region’s only designated shelter — was approximately 7.5% percent occupied, leaving about 92 percent of capacity still available.
Southern shelters, by contrast, had significant space remaining. Talo’fo’fo Elementary School was only about 4 percent occupied, Merizo Martyrs Elementary at roughly 7 percent, and Inarajan Middle School at approximately 4.3 percent.
GDOE opened all seven campuses as emergency shelters Sunday evening shortly after COR 2, which took effect at 5 p.m. April 12. The department noted the infographic is intended to provide real-time updates on shelter population and capacity to help families identify available space.
Residents still needing shelter are urged to consider southern locations where space remains widely available. Busing to shelters is available through Mayors’ Offices. No one should leave their shelter until Condition of Readiness 4 is declared.
This Storm Update is brought to you by Storm Sponsors: Tenorio Muna Barnes-Building Guam’s future together and Wise Owl Animal Hospital.
