Typhoon Mawar Update: All Guam Associates Accounted For; Okinawa Prepares for Possible Impact
All associates at the Guam/Saipan Exchange are now accounted for after Typhoon Mawar directly struck Guam last week.
Pacific Region leadership was keeping an eye on facilities in Okinawa as the storm made an unexpected turn toward the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. During a Disaster Support Group meeting Tuesday evening Dallas time, it was too soon to tell what kind of impact the storm would have on Okinawa, but Exchange stores on the island are well-prepared.
Guam General Manager George McNamara and his team reopened stores by Saturday morning to serve the Andersen Air Force Base community. Because of limited power on the island—as of Wednesday morning Guam time, only 16% of the island had power—and other storm-related issues, retail facilities have been closing at 6 p.m. Guam time.
“There are no lights,” McNamara said “There’s a lot of debris on the roads, and it’s very dangerous for associates and our valued customers. We want to provide everyone an opportunity to get home before dark, so we made those adjustments.”
Typhoon Mawar knocked down trees outside the Guam Exchange—and on most of the island.
McNamara said that all eight fuel pumps at the Barrigada Express have been working since Saturday. Barrigada Army Readiness Center access is currently restricted to Guardsmen, who have been activated to assist with recovery and restoration. Only four of 16 fuel pumps at the Andersen Express are operational as of afternoon Monday. The team is working on getting more pumps running, but many will have to be replaced.
McNamara said customers have been very happy that the pumps are open.
“Off base, there are only around nine fuel stations on the entire island that are operating,” McNamara said. “Folks have been waiting 10, 12, 16 hours there. They’re camping out overnight trying to get gas, so just having the opportunity to fill up on the installation puts a lot of smiles on people’s faces.”
For the past few days, the base has been open only to mission-essential personnel. McNamara said that as of noon Wednesday Guam time, retirees and Veterans are expected to have access to the base. Until further notice, mornings will be open to mission-essential personnel only, but anyone who has regular access is expected to get on base in the afternoons.
Mawar, a category 4 typhoon, caused significant damage at the base when it struck May 24. More than 20 inches of rain fell on the island, and Stars & Stripes reported wind speeds up to 150 mph.
McNamara and his team reopened the main shopping complex by Saturday morning.
By Saturday, Burger King, which had been damaged during the storm, reopened with a limited menu. Popeyes was also serving a limited menu.
Signs were blown down at the Burger King and Main Exchange. Most trees were downed, and some storage trailers and outdoor furniture were overturned. One 40-foot container was blown nearly 500 feet. There was damage to roof tiles and leaks inside the building at the Burger King. The main shopping complex sustained damage to the building exterior but there were no leaks inside.
“The team has been awesome on the ground,” McNamara said. “They’re coming to work with a smile despite their personal challenges caused by Typhoon Mawar. They’re supporting the mission and the community is extremely grateful. The base has had two town halls this week. I’ve gotten claps and shouts and cheers. It’s just really everybody coming together, knowing it’s family serving family. It’s something special.”
While all teammates have been accounted for, some suffered personal hardships, including damages to homes and vehicles.
McNamara also thanked other Exchange teams, including Logistics, Merchandising, Information Technology, Facility Management Office and Planning, Allocation and Replenishment (PAR) and more, for their support in the recovery efforts. Food and water shipments are en route to the island by air and sea.
Human Resources is working on coordinating leave donations for Guam associates affected by the storm and providing an Employee Assistance Program counselor for associates to talk to about how to handle their situations.
