Super Typhoon Sinlaku Causes Damage on Northern Mariana Islands and Guam

Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall on the Northern Mariana Islands on Tuesday night local time, bringing sustained winds of up to 150 mph. The storm caused significant structural damage, including flipped cars, toppled utility poles, and torn tin roofs. It continued with strong winds and heavy rain into Wednesday.

U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean. Saipan, the largest island in the chain, has a population of about 43,000 people. Power outages occurred across Saipan, and many roads became impassable due to flooding and debris.

U.S. territory that hosts several American military bases. Guam experienced tropical-force winds from the storm. No immediate reports of deaths emerged from either location.

The National Weather Service reported that Sinlaku was the strongest tropical cyclone on Earth that year at landfall.

By late Wednesday, winds had decreased to 125 mph as the storm moved north away from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The typhoon is expected to curve toward sparsely populated volcanic islands in the far northern Marianas. Approximately 24 hours after the initial impact, conditions remained windy and rainy but improved compared to the peak.

A spokesperson for the Saipan's mayor’s office stated that preliminary assessments showed flooding, uprooted trees, and downed power lines. Images from Saipan depicted residential areas with debris, mangled trees, and damaged infrastructure. Metal bleachers at a sports field were crumpled by the winds.

One resident recorded video of a car stacked on top of two others in an apartment parking lot, with part of a balcony railing torn away.

Authorities began evaluating the full extent of the damage following the storm's passage.

The American Red Cross and its partners provided shelter to more than 1,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm's effects highlight the vulnerability of remote Pacific islands to tropical cyclones. These territories rely on federal support for disaster recovery, including restoration of power and infrastructure.

Ongoing assessments will determine the scope of rebuilding needs.