Super Typhoon Yutu, the Most Powerful Tropical Cyclone on Earth in 2018, Barrels Towards Northern Mariana Islands
Updated 10/26/18: On October 26, 2018, FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands affected by Super Typhoon Yutu beginning on October 24, 2018 and continuing.
Updated 10/23/18: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Typhoon Yutu beginning on October 24, 2018 and continuing.
Link to associated ZIP Code list
NOTE: This has not yet been declared a FEMA Major Disaster.
Updated 10/23/18: As reported by FEMA, an emergency declaration has been issued by Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo.
To view a ZIP Code list associated with Governor Calvo’s declaration, please click here.
To view a special bulletin from the Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense, click here.
NOTE: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster.
All Client Alert
October 24, 2018
Source: AccuWeather
Super Typhoon Yutu will bring risks ranging from flooding and destructive winds and dangerous seas to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Yutu quickly strengthened from a tropical depression on Sunday into a super typhoon by Wednesday as it became the strongest tropical cyclone so far this year.
A direct hit is expected on Tinian and Saipan on Wednesday night, dealing a catastrophic blow to both islands.
A northwest track into Thursday will take the center of the tropical cyclone across both Tinian and Saipan, bringing winds in excess of 240 km/h (150 mph).
Winds of this magnitude can completely destroy homes and businesses and leave areas without power for a week or longer.
While Guam and Rota are expected to dodge the worst impacts, there can still be damaging winds across Rota and locally damaging winds across Guam into Thursday.
Both islands will also endure frequent downpours capable of causing flooding and travel disruptions.
Flooding rainfall will be a concern across Tinian and Saipan, where 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rain and an AccuWeather StormMax™ of 250 mm (10 inches) are expected. Rainfall across Guam and Rota is expected to total 50-100 mm (2-4 inches).
The largely uninhabited islands from Farallon de Medinilla to Farallon de Pajaros will also be at risk for powerful winds and flooding.
Dangerously rough seas will continue to batter areas around Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands into Thursday night before improving this weekend.
Prior to Yutu’s arrival, residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are being urged to review typhoon preparation plans. Be ready for these plans to have to be put into place and the potential for disruptions to daily routines.
After affecting Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Yutu continues on a west to northwest track into next week.
Yutu is forecast to maintain super typhoon status into this weekend and will remain a dangerous tropical cyclone as it approaches parts of Asia next week.
Areas from the Philippines to Japan should remain on alert for potential impacts from this dangerous tropical cyclone next week.
