U.S. Territories and Disaster Response

Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into the Northern Mariana Islands overnight, ripping across Tinian and Saipan with sustained winds near 150 mph as its inner eyewall passed around 10:15 p.m. local time. The storm had earlier peaked over open water near 180 mph and carried an expanded wind field — typhoon‑force gusts out to roughly 80 miles and tropical‑storm‑force winds as far as about 275 miles — producing prolonged destructive conditions as it slowed near the islands. Guam missed a direct eyewall hit but received torrential rain, flash flooding and tropical‑storm‑force gusts (reported between about 60–80 mph), with many businesses closed, schools canceled and authorities urging residents to shelter while military personnel were ordered to prepare and shelter in place.