Over 50,000 U.S. citizens on the islands of Saipan and Tinian, in the northern Mariannas chain are enduring sustained winds of 180 mph and gusts over 200 mph from supertyphoon Yutu, the strongest storm on record to strike these islands. Yesterday they were preparing for 120 mph winds, which would have been survivable. Yutu rapidly intensified over the past day to an unexpected monster strong category 5. Structures in the northern Mariannas are built to withstand supertyphoons, but Yutu is significantly stronger than any storm to strike this islands in recorded history. Moreover, island topography can intensify wind gusts. Gusts well over 200mph are likely. Downslope wind intensification will cause extreme gusts in the most heavily inhabited parts of Saipan on the western side of the island. The northern side of the storm which is hitting Saipan is the leading edge and thus likely the strongest side. Saipan is getting no breaks. The island Tinian, south of Saipan, is now almost wholly engulfed in Yutu’s eye.
The weather station at Saipan airport stopped reporting wind and pressure after wind gusts exceeded 100mph.
This is a major disaster. This storm is significantly stronger than hurricane Michael. The only good news is that U.S. naval and air facilities on Guam were spared the worst as this storm turned to Saipan. The U.S. will have the capability to provide rapid emergency assistance from bases on Guam.
From Jeff Masters’ blog, population figures for the most affected islands:
The U.S. Northern Mariana Islands is a U.S. commonwealth, separate from the U.S. territory of Guam. Close to two-thirds of residents of the Northern Marianas are U.S. citizens, according to a 2015 report from the commonwealth government. The three main islands are:
Saipan: population 52,263 (2017 estimate)
Tinian: population 3,136 (2010 estimate)
Rota: population 2,477 (2010 estimate)
Buildings at the airport have been wrecked and debris will need to be cleared before airplanes can bring in supplies. The control tower is still standing. Early images and cell phone video clips show absolute devastation.
This has been an extraordinarily active year in the tropics with about twice the normal amount of hurricane energy released in the northern hemisphere. Over the past decade records show that the strongest storms have been growing stronger. This is happening because 90% of the heating caused by increasing greenhouse gas levels has been taken up by the oceans. Because the surface layer of warm water has thickened in the tropical and subtropical oceans, less cool water wells up from below and category 4 and 5 storms become more likely. The U.S. is now suffering from the disastrous impacts of its failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.