Hurricane and Heavy Rain in Guam, April 11 to 19, 1997

Typhoon Isa (02W) was within the Guam Area of Responsibility from the 9th until the 21st. It was first reported as a tropical disturbance on the 9th. It became a tropical storm on the 12th. On the 12th it was near Pohnpei. Peak wind gust observed across the island were 60 mph. There were no report of death or injury. A few buildings had damage to roofs. An estimated 15 percent of the crops were damaged. This included damage to banana and breadfruit trees. Fallen trees and large branches destroyed an estimated 40 percent of the power lines. Typhoon Isa passed about 160 miles south of Guam on the 17th. There were heavy rains across Guam on this day with 6.36 inches falling at the NWSO at Tiyan and 6.68 inches at Anderson Air Force Base. On the 17th the winds gusted to 45 mph at the Tiyan NWSO. This was not the strongest recorded, however. The next day a spiral band from the storm passed across Guam causing a gust to 53 mph at the NWSO. Sporadic power outages occurred across Guam. There were light damage to buildings, primarily over the southern sections of the island. Wind and salt damage to tomato, okra, cucumber and long bean crops were reported. This damage was estimated to be around $100,000. Rains were falling for a few days across Pohnpei. On the 20th very heavy rains fell. 10.53 inches were reported at the WSO on Pohnpei. As a result of the saturated ground 20 landslides occurred on this day. The Sokes municipality was were the landslides occurred. Effected were the communities of Oaumor, Iohl, and Aumoar. These landslides resulted in 8 injuries and 19 fatalities.Tropical Storm Jimmy (03W) moved through the Guam Area of Responsibility from the 18th to the 26th. It's path took it far away from any islands, and as a result no damage was reported.