GUAM ISLANDERS PREFER ‘CRAZY KIM’ TO TYPHOONS
Residents fear projectiles from storms more than nuclear attack
UAM residents say that if given the choice, they would rather face the wrath of “crazy” Kim Jong-un than the power of a typhoon, as they count down towards a threatened North Korean missile attack.
As Pyongyang’s deadline drew closer, the archbishop of the predominately Catholic US territory urged priests to pray for peace at Sunday mass and prepared for a peace rally here.
But on the streets the outward appearance remained calm, with the main concern being the approach of the typhoon season.
“To be honest, I’m more worried about the projectiles from the typhoons when we get strong winds, than whatever projectiles Kim says he will launch on Guam,” Janice Furukawa, a 58-year-old mother, said as she prepared her typhoon emergency kit at her home in the village of Piti.
Trump has vowed to protect the western Pacific island and in a call to Guam Governor Eddie Calvo yesterday, he “reassured” him that “United States forces stand ready to ensure the safety and security of the people of Guam, along with the rest of America”.
Roman Catholic archbishop Michael Byrnes asked priests to “pray for peace between our nations and resolution of differences”.
Rolando Zepeda, 57, a teacher at Saint Anthony’s School, said he was not making any emergency plans for a North Korean attack.
“But I am always quick to shutter up whenever we get typhoon advisories or tsunami warnings.”
“Kim is as crazy as typhoons, but I am more scared of typhoons because they are real threats.”
North Korea had threatened to attack Guam in 2013, leading Calvo to play down the latest crisis, and instead, remind the 162,000 residents they should prepare for the inevitable typhoon.
“You know typhoons can strike anytime... so that means, families are making family emergency plans and kits together,” he said.
“With that, everybody should live like business as usual. It’s the weekend. Go out, have a good time.”
If North Korea does launch a missile strike, there is a public warning system in place and a 14minute window to react, Homeland Security said.
On Friday, it posted guidelines on its website about what to do in the event of a nuclear attack.
“Expect to stay inside for at least 24 hours unless otherwise told by authorities. If caught outside, do not look at the flash or fireball — It can blind you.
“Take cover behind anything that might offer protection. Lie flat on the ground and cover your head,” the advisory warned.
Furukawa, who lived through Typhoon Paka that left 5,000 homeless and more than 30 per cent of public buildings seriously damaged in 1997, said people in Guam were resilient.
“We always survive. It’s the recovery period that is hard. But survival is part of our culture,” she said. AFP