Residents shelter as powerful storm stalls over Saipan and nearby islands, raising flooding and destruction concerns.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the Northern Mariana Islands early Wednesday local time, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall and widespread damage as emergency crews struggled to respond to worsening conditions.
The National Weather Service said the storm made a direct impact on the island chain with sustained winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, classifying it as the most powerful tropical system recorded globally so far this year. Officials warned the storm’s slow movement could prolong its effects, increasing the likelihood of flooding, power outages and structural damage.
Saipan, the largest island in the territory, experienced some of the most severe conditions as residents reported flying debris, uprooted trees and collapsed buildings. Mayor Ramon Camacho described the situation as rapidly deteriorating.
“It’s hitting us hard,” Camacho said. “It’s so difficult for us to respond with this heavy rain, heavy wind to rescue people. Objects are just flying left and right.”
He said emergency crews had already conducted rescues as the storm intensified, noting that wooden and tin structures were particularly vulnerable. “It’s already bending. That’s how powerful this is,” he said, referring to damage at his own office.
Meteorologist Landon Aydlett warned that residents should expect prolonged exposure to severe conditions. “This is not going to be an easy night for anyone across Tinian or Saipan. This is going to be a loud night,” Aydlett said, adding that many residents “will wake up to a different island.”
The storm slowed significantly as it approached land, heightening concerns that destructive winds and rainfall would persist for hours. Officials warned that the most intense conditions would continue through the overnight period and into early morning.
Farther south, the U.S. territory of Guam experienced heavy rainfall and flash flooding as the storm system moved through the region. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and avoid windows as conditions deteriorated.
The Northern Mariana Islands are home to roughly 50,000 residents, with most living on Saipan. The area’s infrastructure, including homes built from lighter materials, faced heightened risk from the storm’s intensity, although many residents sought shelter in reinforced structures or government facilities.
The storm also impacted areas beyond U.S. territory. Outer islands in the Federated States of Micronesia reported damage earlier as Sinlaku moved through the region before turning toward Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Military officials in Guam, a strategic hub for U.S. forces in the Pacific, instructed personnel to shelter in place as the storm approached. The island, home to about 170,000 people, has previously experienced extended power outages from severe typhoons.
President Donald Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for both Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands ahead of the storm’s arrival, enabling additional federal assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it had deployed nearly 100 personnel and was coordinating with multiple agencies to support response efforts.
Super typhoons represent the most intense category of tropical cyclones in the northwestern Pacific, equivalent to Category 4 or 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic. Sinlaku was classified as a Category 4 storm as it moved across the islands and is expected to weaken gradually over the coming days, though officials warned its immediate impact could be severe due to its slow progression.