Typhoon ‘Vongfong’ pummels Guam, Marianas

HAGATNA, Guam—A typhoon carrying strong winds and heavy rains passed over the Mariana Islands, with the eye of the storm skirting the small island of Rota.

National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Ziobro said it appeared the eye of Typhoon “Vongfong” had passed about 5 miles north of Rota around 2:45 a.m. Monday.

He said the eye wall, which packs the strongest winds, probably passed over the island.

Rota, which is about 10.5 miles long and 3 miles wide, had about 2,500 residents according to the last census. Gov. Eddie Calvo asked for prayers for residents there.

Residents on Guam heeded warnings about high winds and flooding by taking shelter at designated public schools. The Government of Guam and many businesses were expected to be closed Monday, and most flights were canceled.

Ed Propst, a manager of the Head Start Program in Saipan’s public school system and a candidate for the islands’ House of Representatives, said branches, leaves and debris were scattered across his yard on Saipan early Monday morning. He told The Associated Press via Facebook messenger that he experienced several storms growing up in Saipan, but “I don’t think we have had one this strong in over a decade. Or at least it feels like it.”

The weather service said the typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and was expected to intensify as it moved away from the islands, over the next day and a half.

Ziobro said Rota and Guam were experiencing heavy rains, and there were sporadic power outages reported on Guam.

He said localized flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage.–Grace Garces Bordallo with Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska