By Dance Aoki
Guam is home to beautiful beaches and welcoming people, but there is a stark reality of life on the island. Those living here face the high probability of tropical storms.
Planning and preparation is the most important aspect of typhoon readiness. Residents should prepare emergency kits and plans early on and avoid the rush for supplies.
The website for Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense is a useful resource when creating an emergency plan. Their emergency checklists include reminders to pack a non-perishable food, batteries and flashlights.
Over the last few decades, the technology for protecting homes has evolved very little. Locals who once lived in wood and tin houses built more secure concrete homes, but there wasn’t much protection for windows and doors aside from plywood.
Accordion shutters are a popular form of permanent typhoon protection, but their installation can be costly. Property owners who prefer shutter-free exteriors can install typhoon-proof glass in their windows if they can afford it.
Typhoon Armor Guam provides an affordable typhoon protection option: AstroGuard Typhoon Fabrics. The fabric is resin coated ballistic nylon that can be placed over windows, doors and carports and resists up to 1,500 pounds of pressure from wind or flying objects. The fabric is secured in place with a Phillips head screwdriver when needed and can be easily taken down and stored.
On Guam, residents must be prepared for when a storm hits. Taking the appropriate measures will help to keep homes and families safe from potential damage.
