Super Typhoon Mawar has made a forceful impact on Guam, subjecting the US territory to winds of up to 150mph reminiscent of a powerful hurricane.
According to the National Weather Service, this typhoon is believed to be the most potent to strike the US Pacific region in the past two decades.
It made landfall on Wednesday night, approximately at 9 pm local time, as a formidable Category 4 storm. The consequences of its arrival were accompanied by torrential downpours and storm surges.
Although the center of the typhoon passed about 15 miles north of Guam, its impact was far from insignificant.
As a result, the island, approximately the size of Chicago, bore witness to a trail of destruction.
Numerous homes and businesses found themselves without essential utilities, leaving residents grappling with the challenging aftermath.
The parking lot at my apartment a little while ago as the eye of #super #typhoon #mawar slams #Guam. Lots of us have relocated to the basement. All the units totally flooded, several windows blown out, and the building is shuddering from the wind. pic.twitter.com/IoBSuoTBA2
— Ginger Cruz (@gingercruz) May 24, 2023
Air is filled with intense, swirling precip whilst lightning illuminates the sky! #typhoon #mawar #guam pic.twitter.com/GTTNzLYa9B
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) May 24, 2023
Rain just arrived in Dededo, Guam #Mawar pic.twitter.com/NOAiwOFMgu
— 🌸 C.J. 🌸 (@cheesehead671) May 24, 2023
#typhoon #mawar is packing quite a bit of lightning as it passes close to #Guam right now! pic.twitter.com/QwqiFWdkeD
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) May 24, 2023
As the storm subsides, the focus now shifts to its projected movement toward the Philippines in the coming days.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, President Joe Biden acted immediately by approving an emergency declaration for Guam earlier this week.
Additionally, US officials have confirmed that the Navy will deploy the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group to assist in recovery operations.
The emergency declaration empowers the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to effectively coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts.
Meanwhile, as Typhoon Mawar intensifies, Filipinos residing in Guam received advisories to remain at home and strictly adhere to the directives issued by the government.
