HAGATNA, Guam —Guam residents took precautionary measures as they braced themselves for Typhoon Mawar, the most powerful storm to approach the U.S. Pacific territory in decades. People stocked up on supplies, secured their homes, and sought shelter in concrete structures. The U.S. military relocated ships, and President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration. The typhoon was anticipated to hit as a Category 4 or potentially even a Category 5 storm, with winds reaching around 140 mph (225 kph). The last time Guam experienced a direct hit from a Category 5 storm was in 1962. As the storm intensified, power outages and water service disruptions were reported in several areas of the island.

In preparation for the impending storm, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam issued an evacuation order for residents living in coastal, low-lying, and flood-prone areas of the territory, which has a population of over 150,000 people. Residents were instructed to relocate to higher elevations for safety.

One resident, Reuel Drilon, residing in the low-lying area of Agat along the southern coast, took precautions by securing patio furniture and trash containers ahead of the storm. The village, like many others, is abundant with mango trees, which authorities warned could be uprooted during the storm, potentially causing obstructions and posing risks as dangerous flying objects.

Before the storm made landfall, Reuel Drilon expressed concerns about the trees in Guam, particularly the coconut and mango trees. Given Guam's significance as a crucial hub for U.S. forces in the Pacific, the Department of Defense took measures to ensure the safety of personnel. Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson authorized the evacuation of defense personnel, dependents, and employees in the areas expected to be impacted.

As a standard precaution, all ships were moved out to sea, and remaining personnel on the island sought shelter in place. The Pentagon reported approximately 6,800 U.S. service members assigned to Guam. By late Wednesday morning, the typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), with gusts reaching 170 mph (274 kph). Rainfall from the storm's outer bands had already begun, and the typhoon's center was approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of the island, moving in a north-northwest direction.

Guam braced for the arrival of Typhoon Mawar, which posed a triple threat of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and a potentially life-threatening storm surge. The National Weather Service warned of considerable damage and urged residents to take immediate precautions. Shelters were set up in elementary schools, and school buses transported residents to safety. Power outages occurred intermittently, and nearly 900 people sought refuge in shelters. While it was uncertain whether Guam would be directly hit, the storm was expected to come very close to the island.

Guam's Governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, urged residents to stay calm and ordered the National Guard to assist in evacuating low-lying areas as Typhoon Mawar approached. An emergency declaration was issued to facilitate the mobilization of resources to the island. Despite the storm's slow movement, with an eye 17 miles wide, people were warned not to be deceived by a temporary calm when the eye passes overhead, as stronger winds could follow swiftly. Residents were advised to remain sheltered until given the all-clear by the government. Some individuals, like Joshua Paulino and Marichelle Tanag, expressed concerns and took precautions to protect themselves and their homes. The nearby islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan were also under typhoon or tropical storm warnings, with some areas still recovering from previous severe weather events.