Typhoon (hurricane) Mawar is hammering Guam with strong winds and flooding rain. It is the first strong storm to hit the area in 20 years. Damaging winds, flooding rain, and storm surges began striking Guam and the Mariana Islands on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Guam is 14 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time.
The day before, the powerful storm was ranked as a Category 1. However, it quickly jumped to Category 4 as it barreled its way to the United States territory. The major storm cell pushed a wall of water ahead of its pathway as it approached land. Typhoon Mawar’s winds were already powerful enough to uproot trees and snap power poles.
The National Weather Weather Service described Typhoon Mawar as a “triple threat” because of its “life-threatening storm surge,” high-powered winds, and torrential rain.
Typhoon Mawar’s Strike on the US Territory
The hurricane reached maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (miles per hour). Guam’s International Airport clocked the storm’s wind speed at 105 mph before it stopped reporting. Furthermore, the Apra Harbor registered 100 mph winds late Wednesday evening.
Additionally, the airport reported at least eight inches of rainfall since Typhoon Mawar arrived. Other parts of the island reported seeing 12 to 24 inches in one day, thanks to the major storm, according to gauges from the United States Geological Survey.
Eye of the Storm
By Thursday morning, the storm’s winds began to die down. The islands are expected to feel the effects of tropical-storm-force winds throughout much of the day.
However, the storm is expected to remain an arduous hurricane after leaving Guam. Experts believe it will probably reach super typhoon status as it crosses the Philippine Sea. At that time, Typhoon Mawar’s winds could reach at least 150 mph.
Working with Red Cross
The local American Red Cross is working with partners and officials to provide citizens with life-sustaining assistance. The organization has some relief aid on the island. They had set up strategic locations prior to Typhoon Mawar’s impact. Some of the items they have on hand are:
- Clean-up kits.
- Shelf-stable meals.
- Tarps.
- Hygiene supplies.
- Bottled Water.
Anyone wanting to donate to the Red Cross to assist those affected by the hurricane can do so by:
- Visiting their site: redcross.org.
- Call 800-RED-CROSS — (800)733-27677.
- Or text TYPHOON to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Sources:
Red Cross: Red Cross Helps on Guam as Typhoon Mawar Hits the Region
The Weather Channel: Super Typhoon Mawar Leaving Guam As Strongest, Closest To Hit U.S. Territory In 20 Years
NPR: Climate change makes Typhoon Mawar more dangerous
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of /ltus‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Toms River Fire Dept www.tomsriverfire.com‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
