Typhoon Sinlaku was upgraded to a super typhoon at 7:16 p.m. Sunday as it continued to move away from Chuuk and toward the Marianas, this time with another slight shift to the north that could take it closer to Tinian than Rota and farther away from Guam.
While the threat of typhoon conditions affecting Guam have decreased with the recent northward shifts of Sinlaku’s track the past 24 hours, “this remains a serious weather event,” the Joint Information Center said at 9:25 p.m. Sunday.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku was centered near northern Chuuk and moving northwest at 9 miles per hour toward the Marianas.
The storm intensity was 150 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said, as of 9:19 p.m. Sunday.
Sinlaku was located near latitude 10.6 degrees north and longitude 150.3 degrees east. This was about 420 miles east-southeast of Guam.
Guam remains under both a tropical storm warning and a typhoon watch, which means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours, JIC said.
“The onset of tropical storm force winds (39 mph or more) are expected to reach Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan Monday night. At this time, Guam is not anticipated to receive typhoon force winds (74 mph or more) but still remains in a typhoon watch in the unlikely event of any southward shift of track,” JIC said late Sunday night.
In just a few days, Sinlaku’s forward movement shifted several times, including a potential passage south of Guam, a direct hit for Guam, between Guam and Rota, north of Rota, and then south of Tinian, based on information from NWS and JIC.
“Sinlaku remains a dangerous typhoon,” the governor said in a video address at Sunday noon. “It is well developed with winds of 120 to 140 miles per hour and it is expected to arrive late Monday night, early Tuesday morning.”
The governor also said she wanted to put to rest some rumors that there is a second storm following in Sinlaku’s path. There is none.
“If you’re looking at official weather service satellite pictures or on your app, the clouds you see around or behind this typhoon are areas of thunderstorm and heavy showers associated with Sinlaku, not another typhoon,” the governor said.
Winds, rain
Windy conditions were expected Sunday night across the Marianas, with speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour out of the north to north-northeast.
“Conditions across the Marianas over the next 24 to 48 hours may vary considerably depending on the track of Super Typhoon Sinlaku (04W), but overall will gradually worsen throughout the day tomorrow as damaging tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or more begin to be felt,” NWS said on Sunday night.
Scattered local heavy showers will increase throughout the day Monday, with conditions worsening into Tuesday morning as the super typhoon nears.
The Northern Marianas are expected to receive winds 74 miles per hour or greater late Tuesday morning; the highest winds are currently expected for Rota and Tinian.
Rainfall totals upwards of 15 to 20 inches near the center of the super typhoon as it crosses the islands.
Typhoon conditions are still possible for Guam within the next 48 hours, if Sinlaku’s track drifts back south.
For now, the island can at least expect tropical storm force winds into the midweek.
No classes, no offices
Guam was placed under Condition of Readiness 2, and the respective military bases on Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2, Sunday afternoon.
On Monday, there will be no classes in elementary, high school and college levels at public and private schools, including those under the Archdiocese of Agana. They will resume classes when Guam returns to COR 4.
At COR 2, the government of Guam, with the exception of essential services, will not be operational and will remain closed until COR 4 is announced.
With their experience with Typhoon Mawar in 2023, Guam residents were more prepared this time around.
Forecasters and government agencies advised residents to prepare days ahead.
There were long lines at gas stations and grocery stores for a few hours on Friday, along with boarding up of windows, and the temporary removal of political campaign signs.
By Sunday, there were still last-minute preparations but there were no long lines anymore.
Hundreds at emergency shelters
Emergency shelters opened at 6 p.m. Sunday, starting with seven Guam Department of Education campuses: Astumbo Elementary School, Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School, Machananao Elementary School, George Washington High School, Talofofo Elementary School, Merizo Martyrs Elementary School, and Inarajan Middle School.
As of 8:12 p.m., there were 466 children and adults at these emergency shelters, or some 18% of their capacity to provide refuge to 2,623, JIC data shows.
Meanwhile, at TCCOR 2, installation services are significantly reduced across all military installations on Guam.
Most Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, MWR, facilities, fitness centers, child development programs, and retail services are closed.
Commissaries, gas stations, and select essential services are operating on limited or adjusted hours prior to closing.
U.S. Naval Hospital Guam has shifted to emergency services only until further notice.
“Residents are encouraged to complete necessary shopping, fuel, and preparation activities ahead of facility closures and to monitor official installation channels for the most current operating hours. Specific base service hours of operation are available on the Joint Region Marianas Facebook page,” JIC said.
Stay out of the water
Residents and visitors are advised to remain out of the water because of hazardous surf and seas.
- High surf warning, with dangerous waves 12 to 16 ft. until 6 p.m. Thursday.
- High risk of rip currents for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
- Small craft advisory for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters.
GFD: Up to 20 gallons of fuel
Effective Sunday, the Guam Fire Department waived fire permit requirements for the storage of gasoline and diesel fuel under limited quantities.
Under this temporary waiver, individuals are permitted to store up to 20 gallons total (aggregate) of gasoline and/or diesel fuel without a fire permit.
All fuel must be stored in approved and properly designated containers specific to the type of fuel being purchased.
This measure is being implemented to support community preparedness and accessibility while maintaining public safety standards, JIC said.
The waiver will remain in effect until 10 p.m. on April 30, 2026.
GFD reminds the public to exercise caution when handling and storing fuel, including:
- Using only approved containers
- Storing fuel in well-ventilated areas away from heat sources
- Keeping fuel out of reach of children
- Avoiding overfilling containers
Wreaking havoc in Chuuk
Earlier on Sunday, NWS said across Chuuk, battering tropical storm force winds on the south side of Sinlaku continued to wreak havoc across the islands with strong sustained winds and very strong gusts, occasional torrential downpours, and very large, choppy seas, surf, and coastal inundation, mainly along west and southwest facing shores.
Damaging tropical storm force winds aren’t expected to subside for a number of islands northwest of the Chuuk Lagoon until early Monday morning.
Still, marine conditions will be hazardous for any water transit among the islands.
For eastern and central Yap state, conditions will be gradually deteriorating as westerly winds build well south of Sinlaku.
Marine conditions will be similarly hazardous late into the week with increased potential for inundation along western shores as the new moon phase approaches by late week, causing higher high tides.
