NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RELEASES SERVICE ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR SUPER TYPHOON PONGSONA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) today released its service assessment report for Super Typhoon Pongsona, which devastated Guam in December 2002 after dumping heavy rain and strong winds on Pohnpei and Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia. Service assessments are routine reviews of NOAA National Weather Service operations during major weather events. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Super Typhoon Pongsona was one of the worst typhoons to ever strike Guam. Making landfall on Sunday, Dec. 8, it resulted in one indirect death, 193 injuries and an estimated $700M in damage. The NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in Guam issued a typhoon watch for the Island of Guam more than 47 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds (39 mph) and a typhoon warning more than 23 hours in advance. Pongsona had sustained winds of 144 mph with gusts to 173 mph. Typhoon force winds and torrential rains pounded the Island of Guam for as much as five hours.

The Service Assessment Report provides details on the support provided by NOAA National Weather Service forecast offices to Guam Civil Defense, the media, other agencies and organizations, and the public.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

Service Assessment Report: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/index.shtml