Typhoon Mawar made impact in Guam, as the storm with grade 4 rating, pounded on the US Pacific territory with fierce gusts, torrential rainfall, and a catastrophic winds, that swamped low-lying regions as locals huddled inside houses and shelters.
The focal point of the typhoon crossed over the far north coast of the island, according to Guam weather agency. This has been the most powerful storm to strike the island with more than 150,000 people, in years.
Meteorologists believed the storm brushed the far northern side of the island, but it was mainly in the canal between Guam and its northern neighbor, Rota, Landon Aydlett, a warning coordination meteorologist disclosed.
Peak winds exceeded 105 mph at the weather agency office in Guam, but it later lost its wind detectors, Landon averred. According to him, the building was trembling with a “constant, low rumbling,” and the doors and windows were swaying.
“We have the peak conditions going on for a couple more hours. I think thrashing is the word I would use,” Aydlett said. “There are trees everywhere at this point. Daylight tomorrow is really going to be a shock to a lot of people,” he added.
As the weather worsened throughout the evening, lightning became a greater hazard, according to the weather agency. Northern Guam was also under a severe wind alert and a flash flood alert.
A typhoon caution has been issued for Rota, an island in the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Tropical storm warnings has also been issued for Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Marianas. After grade 5 Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018, several residents in those locations have been living in temporary homes or camps.
Typhoon Mawar is expected to move north-northwest, and could affect Taipei next week. The weather agency warned of a very critical and life-threatening condition on Guam, advising residents to seek covers and stay there for the following few hours.
“This is going to be kind of a long night. It’s going to be scary because there’s no electricity unless you have a generator,” Brandon Aydlett, a science and operations officer for the weather service, and Landon Aydlett’s twin brother announced.
“Reassure your children. It’s going to be a little bit scary as we go later into the night. You can hear the sounds. The winds are howling, things are breaking. Just be together, talk to each other and things will slow down toward midnight and continuing into Thursday morning,” Brandon said.
He advised people to remain in homes and get as much sleep as possible before “a long day tomorrow as we start the recovery process.”
Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero advised inhabitants of the territory’s coastal, low-lying, and flood-prone districts to flee to higher altitudes prior to the storm. Mount Lamlam in the southwest happens to be the tallest peak on the island, rising 1,334 feet (406 meters). However, much of Tamuning’s seaside tourism sector, where many resort hotels are situated, is close to sea level.
Reuel Drilon, a resident of low-lying Agat on the southern coast, said practically every home in the community has a mango tree, which experts have warned might create obstacles and dangerous flying objects. “A lot of folks are keeping their eyes on trees,” he said before the storm hit.
According to the weather agency, the typhoon had sustained winds in excess of 140 mph, with wind gusts previously reaching 170 mph. It was located around 15 miles north-northeast of the island.
Families have evacuated to the island’s social centers and transported to 11 elementary schools, that have been converted into temporary shelters. Village officials advised residents to tighten loose objects in their yards and take shelter promptly.
Some used a megaphone to disseminate the message, while others used social media. As the rain and wind grew stronger electricity went on and off, and officials estimated roughly 900 people have been in homes.
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