Rip Current — Northern Marianas, Guam

2003-07-21 · near Tinian, Northern Marianas, Guam

Wider weather episode

Scott Norman, 50 years old, went to the cliffline at Taga Beach in Tinian and jumped in the water. A few minutes later Norman tried to swim ashore, but strong waves and currents pulled him away from the shore. He then yelled for help. James Manuel, who was sitting under a pine tree at the time, heard Norman's cries for help. He ran toward the upper-fenced in area and saw the victim struggling to swim ashore. Manuel ran towards a moped concession stand and borrowed a cellular phone from an attendant to call 911 for help.Manuel saw Charlie Palacios on a jetski and waved to him, yelled and pointed towards the location of Scott Norman. Palacios pulled Norman from the water and brought him to shore. Medics provided medical assistance before transporting him to Tinian Health Center for further treatment. Long period ocean swells generated by Super Typhoon Imbudo far to the west of the area, moved across the Mariana Islands from the 21st to the 24th. These long period swells produced Hazardous Surf across the Mariana Islands.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5367320. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.