Super Typhoon Mawar lashes Guam as Category 4 storm with strong winds, rain

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Super Typhoon Mawar barrelled into Guam as a powerful Category 4 storm Wednesday, pummelling the US Pacific territory with high winds, heavy rains, and a dangerous storm surge that swamped low-lying areas as residents hunkered down in homes and shelters.

The typhoon's centre passed over the northern tip of Guam on Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service said.

It is the strongest storm to hit the territory of over 150,000 people in decades.

Meteorologists suspect the storm clipped the far northern part of the island, but otherwise it was in the channel between Guam and its neighbour to the north, Rota, warning coordination meteorologist Landon Aydlett said by telephone.

Peak winds at the weather service office in Guam reached 105 mph (169 kph), but it later lost its wind sensors, he said.

The building was vibrating, with a “constant, low rumbling,” and doors and windows were shaking, he said.

“We have the peak conditions going on for a couple more hours. I think thrashing is the word I would use,” Aydlett said.

“There are trees everywhere at this point. Daylight tomorrow is really going to be a shock to a lot of people.”

Lightning had become an increasing threat as conditions continued to deteriorate into the evening, the weather service reported.

And an extreme wind warning and flash flood warning were in effect for northern Guam.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.