Guam remains under its highest typhoon alert as authorities warn that Category 4 Typhoon Champi conditions could bring life-threatening winds, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages overnight.
The island has been under Condition of Readiness 1 since 1pm Saturday, with residents ordered to remain indoors until the government declares Condition of Readiness 4.
The Guam Joint Information Center said Champi is expected to pass just south of or over southern Guam late Saturday evening into Sunday morning.
The US National Weather has forecast that the storm could bring sustained winds of 140mph about 225km/h.
National Weather Service warnings are available here.
Evacuation centres
Authorities have urged residents in southern coastal and flood-prone communities to evacuate to safer locations because of potentially life-threatening coastal flooding.
Six emergency evacuation centres have been opened across Guam, with more than 730 residents seeking shelter as of 5pm Saturday.
Astumbo Elementary School was already at 86 percent capacity, accommodating 247 people, while Machananao Elementary School had 216 evacuees and Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School had 200.
Other evacuation centres at George Washington High School, Talofofo Elementary School, and Inarajan Middle School had lower occupancy levels.
Meanwhile, the Guam Power Authority warned that damaging winds could cause electricity outages and fluctuations across the island.
The utility said it was not planning an island-wide shut down, but power could be automatically interrupted if electrical circuits or feeders were damaged.
Repair crews will suspend operations when conditions become unsafe and resume assessments and restoration work once winds subside.
Residents have been warned to stay away from fallen power lines and damaged electrical equipment.
Military installations under Joint Region Marianas have also been placed under Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1.
The Joint Information Center warned residents not to venture outside during the storm, even if conditions temporarily become calm.
In the CNMI, Governor David Apatang has placed Rota under Typhoon Condition II, while Saipan and Tinian remain under Condition III.
Champi is the latest major tropical cyclone to threaten the Mariana Islands, which have experienced successive storms since April, including Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi and Tropical Storm Choi-wan.
