Rip Current — Guam, Guam

2021-04-24 · Guam, Guam

Event narrative

Guam Fire Department received a call at 910 am and reached the scene at Tanguisson Beach by 933 am. By 1:44 pm a helicopter joined in the search. A witness said that

he saw the 55-year-old man enter the waters. The witness also mentioned that the waves were so rough and high and said that fishermen tried their best to go into the waters, but that they ran back with scratches. Presumably from rubbing against the coral along the reef because of the surf. The Guam Fire Department was joined by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy who employed their helicopters to assist in the search. The active search concluded a few days later with only a swim fin, presumably from the lost man, recovered.

Long period swell generated by distant tropical cyclone Surigae, was passing through the Marianas. Surigae became a tropical storm on the morning of the 24th, but had been a Super Typhoon and a typhoon over the prior week. As it was over 1000 miles to the west of the island, swells reaching Guam probably originated when the system was

stronger.

The surf on western facing reefs continued to increase over the next day as the swell increased. The surf eventually became hazardous.

Wider weather episode

Swells from distant Typhoon Surigae brought long period swells to the Marianas. This generated a high rip risk over the area and the death of one individual.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 956372. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.