Another potentially powerful typhoon is threatening the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, with Tropical Storm Champi forecast to strengthen into a category 2 typhoon before passing over or near Guam on Sunday.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded the system to a tropical storm early Friday, with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.
Champi was about 825 miles east of Guam, moving west at 12 miles per hour, with a typhoon watch in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
Forecasters warn that even a slight change in the storm’s track could significantly affect wind and rainfall conditions across the islands.
American Red Cross coordinating officer Charles Blake said repeated storms have stretched disaster response capabilities.
“When you get hit with multiple storms, one right after the other, and you don’t get time to fully recover from those storms, there’s going to be some gaps,” he said.
The Red Cross is deploying approximately 85 additional personnel from Guam, Hawaii and the US mainland to assist with evacuation shelters and disaster response operations.
Shelters are being prepared across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, while residents have been urged to stock up on food, water, fuel and medications for at least 48 hours.
Blake warned that power, water, and fuel shortages could complicate recovery efforts.
“We won’t be able to do everything for everybody, but we’re going to do the best we can to meet people’s needs and meet them where they’re at,” he said.
Meanwhile, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a strong to very strong El NiƱo continuing through early 2027, raising concerns about further weather-related disruptions across the Pacific.
