Sinlaku has been upgraded to a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and maximum gusts of 184 mph, according to the latest update from the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.
Sinlaku’s threat has now shifted to Tinian and Saipan, which could “potentially experience the strongest of Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” according to the National Weather Service.
“After several northward shifts in the track the past 24 hours, the latest track shows Sinlaku crossing through the Marianas just south of Tinian Tuesday afternoon/evening,” NWS said.
The storm’s centre was earlier forecast to pass between Rota and Tinian at approximately 4 pm Tuesday.
“The tracking shift has continued to reduce the overall threat of typhoon conditions over Guam and has reduced the threat of Rota seeing the worst of a Category 4 typhoon (but not entirely),” NWS said.
Since Guam is well south of the track of Sinlaku’s powerful super typhoon winds, NWS said only tropical storm conditions are expected for the island.
“Rota should expect typhoon conditions, whereas Tinian and Saipan could see the strongest of Sinlaku’s winds,” NWS said.
Sinlaku, located approximately 398 nautical miles east-southeast of Guam, has tracked northwestward at 08 knots over the past six hours, JTWC said.
Guam is now under Condition of Readiness 2, while military installations across the island are under Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2, signalling the opening of emergency shelters in preparation for Typhoon Sinlaku.
In the CNMI, Governor David Apatang declared Typhoon Condition II for Saipan, Rota, Tinian, and Tropical Storm Condition for Pagan and Alamagan.
Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the NWS, said: “The outlook is still for continued intensification. Track shifts are still anticipated as we go through the next 36 hours.”
Joint Task Force Micronesia is postured and integrated with local and federal partners to respond as requested by the appropriate authority, according to the Joint Information Centre.
“We are prepared to support civil authorities with professionalism, transparency, and unity of effort as conditions evolve,” JIC said.
“Based on its current track, all populated islands within the CNMI, including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, are under threat,” the governor said in an executive order declaring an emergency.
The CNMI anticipates a high probability of widespread power outages, wind damage to homes and critical facilities and significant disruptions to transportation and communications systems.
“This emergency declaration is necessary for the commonwealth government to identify and mobilise available resources in response to the anticipated impact and potential damages of Tropical Storm Sinlaku approaching the Mariana Islands,” reads the executive order.
The governor has ordered the activation of the State Emergency Operations Plan throughout the commonwealth and authorised the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to deploy any forces to distribute any supplies, equipment, materials and facilities.
In a separate directive, Apatang ordered a price freeze on consumer products and housing rentals. Under CNMI law, violation of a price-increase moratorium during a disaster is punishable by a penalty of not more than US$10,000, one year of imprisonment, or both.
