Typhoon Mawar Makes Direct Hit on Guam

Typhoon Mawar has made a direct hit on Guam bringing damaging winds, torrential rain, and dangerous ocean surge to the US territory island.

Almost the entire island of Guam is without power as Typhoon Mawar makes a destructive path even without making landfall. The Guam Power Authority reported that of its 52,000 customers, as of Wednesday afternoon, 51,000 of them has lost power.

As Typhoon Mawar approached Guam, it jogged to the north which caused it to slow a bit before it continued to head west. The center of the storm passed just north of the island’s norther tip with its southern eyewall bringing strong winds even as it begins to leave the Marianas region.

The typhoon delivered 140 mph sustained winds to the 30-mile long island, making it a dangerous Category 4 storm. At Guam International Airport, winds were last recorded at 105 mph before observations from the airport ceased. The Airport has received over 9 inches of rain since Typhoon Mawar arrived.

“Items are flying,” said @Sean13213341 via twitter where he shared this video:

Mawar update. 306pm 5/24. It is now officially way too dangerous for me to get good videos on the front side of the building. Items are flying. In the protection of the back side here is a clip. I’m no expert but winds look like the are at least 100mph. pic.twitter.com/PiiR1qze8E

— Sean (@Sean13213341) May 24, 2023

Winds will begin to diminish Thursday morning but will remain at storm level throughout most of the day. It is expected that Typhoon Mawar will regain Super Typhoon status with sustained 150 mph winds as it leaves Guam and heads into the Philippine Sea for the next several days. Mawar’s path as it traverses across the ocean will likely take it first in the northwest direction, then change due north, followed by a northeast path.

Said @gingercruz on twitter:

“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.”

She shared this video of her apartment building parking lot where you can see a car tumbling over and over from the treacherous winds.

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

The areas of Japan, Taiwan, and the northern Philippines will be closely monitoring Super Typhoon Mawar of any potential threat to their regions.