Satellite Images Show Super Typhoon Mawar Approaching Guam

Storm Mawar intensified into a super typhoon on Tuesday, May 23, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Guam said.

The update came as Guam Gov Lou Leon Guerrero issued a mandatory evacuation order for low-lying coastal areas ahead of the storm’s anticipated landfall in the US island territory on Wednesday. Sustained winds of 125 mph were forecasted, officials said

In the executive order, Guerrero called on residents of prone areas, especially the villages of Inalahan, Ipan, Talofofo, Malesso, Hagat, and Umatac, “to evacuate and seek shelter in private residences or designated government shelters in higher elevation no later than 6 pm, on May 23.”

On Monday, May 22, US President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration and “ordered Federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Typhoon Mawar beginning on May 22, 2023, and continuing.”

This footage by CIRA shows the powerful storm approaching Guam on Tuesday, as well at the eye of the storm on Monday. Credit: CIRA via Storyful

Video transcript

[NO SPEECH]