Super Typhoon Approaches U.S. Islands
A powerful super typhoon is moving towards several remote U.S. islands in the Pacific, with Guam already experiencing heavy rain and strong winds ahead of its arrival.
Super Typhoon Shinraku was nearing the Northern Mariana Islands late Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, and potentially destructive winds that may lead to extended power outages, according to the National Weather Service.
While Guam, a U.S. territory housing numerous military bases and around 170,000 inhabitants, isn’t expected to take a direct hit, damaging winds could still be felt.
This year’s strongest tropical typhoon has sustained winds of 173 miles per hour as it approached Rota, Tinian, and Saipan on Monday, a statement from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center indicated. Though it might weaken somewhat in the coming days, Shinraku is projected to pass through the archipelago as a Category 4 or 5 storm.
Joshua Shank, the chief meteorologist at the Guam Weather Bureau, noted that the typhoon’s path is consistent, likely passing close to Tinian and Saipan.
About 50,000 people live on these three islands, most of whom are situated in Saipan, known for its relaxing resorts and inviting waters for snorkeling and golf.
Historically, Saipan was the site of fierce battles during World War II, claiming the lives of over 50,000 soldiers and local residents.
In Guam, where Typhoon Mawar caused significant power outages in 2023, military officials advised personnel to stay sheltered in preparation for the storm. The U.S. military occupies nearly one-third of Guam’s land, marking it as a strategic base in the Pacific.
Shank remarked that Guam was already facing heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 60 mph early Tuesday. With most businesses shuttered, residents were instructed to remain indoors.
The storm had already wreaked havoc on the outer islands of Micronesia’s Chuuk Islands before advancing toward Guam and the Mariana Islands, reported meteorologist Landon Aydlett.
Glenn Hunter, a Saipan native and typhoon survivor, shared his experiences early Tuesday, noting the strong winds and downed trees. He commented on the sturdy concrete homes most residents occupy, while those in less durable wooden houses typically seek refuge with family or in government shelters.
Hunter reflected on how Saipan was still in recovery mode from 2018’s Super Typhoon Yutu when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, adding that the economy remains fragile.
He’s bracing for a direct impact but is concerned about potential long-term outages for electricity and water. “Being on these beautiful remote islands has its perks, but it complicates recovery efforts,” he said, expressing a hope for assistance from the federal government and military.
The emergency disaster declaration for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, approved by President Donald Trump, permits additional support for emergency services.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is coordinating assistance from multiple agencies and deploying around 100 personnel, working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency and other bodies.
FEMA’s regional administrator, Robert Fenton, said they were prepared to respond effectively to this situation. The agency had begun mobilizing supplies and personnel before the storm’s approach.
Despite a lengthy shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA’s emergency functions are ongoing, with over 10,000 disaster workers still receiving pay. FEMA had approximately $3.6 billion in its disaster relief fund at the end of March, available for use until it is depleted.
Super typhoons represent the most severe tropical cyclones found in the northwestern Pacific, where some of the world’s most extreme storms occur. These storms, classified similarly to Category 4 or 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic with winds of at least 150 mph, have been formally recognized for around 80 years, with more than 300 super typhoons identified in that time.
