Typhoon Mawar Path, track update as expected ‘direct hit’ for Guam

Typhoon Mawar is roaring towards Guam, packing devastating winds of more than 140 mph and massive storm surge for US territory, according to forecasts.

The typhoon poses a “triple threat” of heavy rain, “deadly” storm surge and catastrophic winds equivalent to at least a Category 4 hurricane, the National Weather Service (NWS) Guam office shared in a Facebook post. Live.

In the live video, NWS Guam meteorologist Landon Aydlett urged residents to seek shelter immediately as the storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches the western Pacific island. The typhoon is expected to hit the island Wednesday afternoon, peak around 4 p.m. local time, and continue through Thursday. Aydlett, who answered questions about the impending storm on the broadcast, said to stay indoors until Thursday morning and follow the NWS on social media for further updates.

He said the storm “will pass over much of Guam,” adding that there may be times when residents see cloud breaks and glimpses of blue skies. However, he warned that “this is not the end of the storm”.

“Anyone caught outside could be at extreme risk of injury or death,” Aydlett said.

Newsweek reached out via email and Twitter to the NWS and NWS Guam.

The typhoon recently weakened from Category 5 strength and lost its “super typhoon” status, which requires winds of at least 150 mph. However, forecasters have warned that there is still the possibility that the storm could increase as the eye approaches Guam.

Aydlett warned the island will take a “significant hit” from the storm even if it does not increase in intensity. Mawar will be Guam’s “first eye pass” in more than 20 years when Super Typhoon Pongsona hit the island, inflicting $1 billion in damage.

The NWS shared the track of the storm on Twitterand at about 9:12 a.m. local time, the storm was about 60 miles southeast of Guam.

At 10:30 a.m., NWS Guam said on Twitter that when it issues an extreme wind warning, islanders should seek shelter immediately.

“We will monitor radar data and when winds of over 180 km/h are forecast within an hour, we will issue the extreme wind warning to detail the timing and location of these extreme winds,” said THE tweeted weather service. “If your area is included, seek shelter in an interior room.”

Aydlett advised residents to seek shelter in concrete or concrete-reinforced structures. He said he expects extreme weather, including deadly winds, to hit the island. Parts of Guam could receive up to 24 inches of rain during the storm, which also poses risks of flash flooding and landslides. Aydlett said he expects “massive sea conditions” with a storm surge of up to 25ft, which will pose a “significant risk” to life and property on the island.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has ordered a mandatory evacuation from low-lying coastal areas of Guam in anticipation of Typhoon Mawar. The Guam Department of Education has also opened 12 emergency shelters for residents in need.

In anticipation of the storm, the US military, which occupies about a third of Guam, moved its ships to sea and its planes off the island or into hangars. The approximately 10,000 soldiers stationed there have been asked to take shelter and stay indoors.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday declared an emergency for the territory, which has a population of nearly 170,000, who mostly live near the coast. Emergency action allows the island to receive federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.