LA: A crucial military outpost is located on the US territory of Guam, which is located in the Pacific and is expected to be directly hit by Typhoon Mawar on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that while the storm's top winds had slightly decreased, it was still a dangerous Category Four typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour (225 kilometres per hour) and gusts as high as 175 mph at landfall.
Mawar will "directly" pass over the island, which has a population of about 170,000, if it continues on its current course, unleashing torrential rains and catastrophic flooding, the forecaster warned.
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The storm was 45 miles (70 kilometres) southeast of the island as of 1:31 p.m. local time on Wednesday (03:31 GMT), according to an advisory from the Guam NWS office.
Guam's conditions are progressively getting worse. The NWS reported that winds were steadily picking up and getting louder outside, noting that gusts of 53 mph had already been recorded.
I am concerned for our people's safety. In 20 years, there haven't been storms of this size, according to Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. Mawar's sustained winds were less than 150 mph when it lost its super typhoon status, but the NWS in Guam warned that the storm "may strengthen slightly on approach to Guam."
Low-lying coastal areas were ordered to be evacuated, particularly in the southern villages that are prone to flooding.
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The NWS issued a warning about the "triple threats" of deadly storm surge, catastrophic wind, and torrential rains. Buildings and homes made of light materials, such as non-concrete roofs and walls not made of reinforced concrete, could sustain significant damage from winds close to the eye wall.
Large boats "could be torn from moorings" and a catastrophic storm surge threatens to wreck havoc on the shorelines. For the most vulnerable storm surge prone areas close to the eye wall, the surge may reach 20 to 25 feet above normal high tide, according to the NWS. According to forecasts, Guam will experience rainfall of 10 to 15 inches, with some areas possibly receiving 20 inches or more, according to the NWS.
The weather service cautioned that these in turn might cause landslides in the island's central and southern regions.
According to Guerrero's Facebook post, "Residents who need shelter need to seek shelter no later than 9AM as we expect the storm to intensify in the next few hours."
During brief periods of calm, people have been urged to stay inside, keep away from windows, and avoid going outside because flying debris can result in life-threatening injuries.
On Wednesday, Guam's Office of Civil Defence issued a warning to drivers warning that "winds are expected to intensify to typhoon force winds by midday."
On Guam, which frequently hosts nuclear attack submarines and long-range bombers, there are approximately 21,700 members of the US military and their families stationed at or close to several facilities.
Important electronic listening posts are also housed there. The US bases also house some of the largest ammunition and fuel storage facilities in the Pacific.
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According to a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Guam on Tuesday so that the island could receive federal assistance.
According to A.B. Won Pat International Airport, about 60 scheduled flights from or to Guam between Tuesday and Thursday have been cancelled.