Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Guam, October 15 to 18, 1997

Typhoon Ivan (27W) formed on the 9th about 300 miles east of Majuro in the Marshall Islands. It remained weak for a few days as it passed through the Marshalls and casued no damage. It became a tropical stormon the 13th. It continued moving west and passed south of Guam early on the morning of the 15th. On the 15th a peak wind of 47 mph was observed at Anderson Air Force Base on northern Guam and 29 mph observed at the National Weather Service Office in Tiyan. On the 15th 5.26 inches of rain fell at Anderson Air Force Base and 3 inches at the Tiyan Weather Service Office as a spiral band from the tropical storm passed across the island. This caused Urban and Small Stream flooding in some areas. Tropical Storm Ivan became a typhoon during the late afternoon of the 15th, but was already moving away from the Marianas Islands. The typhoon remained in the Guam Area of Operations until the 17th.Super Typhoon Joan (28W) formed on the 11th to the east of Majuro. It became a tropical storm onthe 14th and reached typhoon strength on the 15th. The typhoon continued to intensify as it moved west-norhwest. It passed about 50 miles north of Saipan and 30 miles south of Anatahan on the 18th. Saipan was slow to respond to the threat of the typhoon, as a result, people were still making storm preperations when the high winds began. Three people were injured when they were boarding up their house. The injuries were caused in part by flying boards. By hte morning of the 19th the entire inland of Saipan had lost power. A few houses had tin roofs damaged. At least 37 houses were destroyed. Anatahan did not fare as well. Damage was extensive across the island. Machinery, boats and public property sustained damage. Crops such as banana, cassava and taro were also damaged. All of the damage on Anatahan amounted to at least $200,000.A band of moisture flowing into Typhoon Joan moved across Guam on the 19th. This resulted in 1.99 inches of rain falling at the Tiyan Weather Office and 2.20 inches at Anderson Air Force Base. This band also caused winds to gust to 41 mph at the Tiyan Weather Office.What was to become Super Typhoon Keith (29W) was spotted as a tropical disturbance east of Majuro in the Marshall Islands on the 22nd. It became a tropical storm on the 28th southwest of Jaluit. On the afternoon of the 30th Keith became a typhoon. On the 30th the typhoon passed 90 miles norht of Mokil,130 miles south of Ujelang and 125 miles norht of Pingelap. During the early morning hours of the 31st thetyphoon passed 115 miles north of Pohnpei. Some brief periods of winds of 25 to 35 mph with gust to 50 mph were reported across these islands. No reports of damage or injury were reported from these islands.