Guam, a western Pacific island, was severely battered by Typhoon Mawar, with residents left to pick up the pieces and grapple with the aftermath of the storm. The category-2 typhoon brought ferocious winds and torrential rains, causing widespread destruction and disrupting daily life.
The storm’s powerful winds, which reached speeds of 241km/h, ripped roofs off homes, flipped vehicles, and downed trees and power lines. The resulting power outages left most of the island without electricity, with only about 1,000 of the 52,000 homes and businesses still receiving power by Wednesday afternoon. Crews worked tirelessly to restore electricity, prioritizing critical infrastructure such as hospitals and wastewater facilities before moving on to homes and businesses.
Water contamination concerns also emerged as a result of the storm, with residents ordered to boil their water until further notice. Crews worked to repair generators damaged by the typhoon to restore water supplies, but some villages remained without access to clean water on Friday.
The damage caused by the storm was extensive, with nearly 60cm of rain falling on the central and northern parts of the island. The international airport, which was flooded, was expected to resume operations next Tuesday. Military installations, where staffing levels were cut to essential personnel only, were also affected, with survey and work crews assessing damage at these locations.
Typhoon MawarResidents were seen struggling to cope with the aftermath of the storm, with images posted on social media showing flooded streets, mangled trees, and debris scattered across front yards. The governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, declared the “all clear” on Thursday evening, but it was clear that the storm would have a lasting impact on the island and its residents.
According to Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the national weather service, much of Guam is dealing with a major mess that will take weeks to clean up. The storm’s intense rainfall, which reached rates of up to 2in per hour overnight, has left the island with a daunting task ahead.
Despite the challenges, residents were seen pulling together to support each other, with the governor urging people to “stay safe, stay strong, and stay informed” in the days ahead. As the island begins the long process of recovery and rebuilding, residents can only hope that the worst is behind them, and that Typhoon Mawar will not leave a lasting scar on their community.