Super Typhoon Champi Moves Away From Guam After Bringing Damaging Winds

Super Typhoon Champi (29W) continued its westward movement away from the Marianas on October 18, after bringing typhoon conditions to Guam and tropical storm conditions to Rota[1][2]. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tiyan, Guam, maintained a Typhoon Warning for Guam and Rota coastal waters, noting that destructive winds and dangerous seas were still present[1].

Ahead of the storm's closest approach, Typhoon Champi rapidly strengthened to a Category 4 storm[6]. On October 17, Guam and Rota were placed under Condition of Readiness 1, the highest storm-readiness level, indicating that destructive winds were considered imminent[6]. The NWS in Tiyan, Guam, had issued a Typhoon Warning for Guam and Rota on October 16, which remained in effect as the storm intensified[6]. By 4 AM ChST on October 18, Typhoon Champi was a dangerous Category 4 storm moving west into Guam coastal waters, located about 25 miles southeast of Guam[7]. It was forecast to pass approximately 15 miles south of Guam as a Category 4 typhoon[7]. A Flash Flood Warning was also in effect for Guam[6][7].

An Extreme Wind Warning was issued for far southern Guam at 3:52 AM ChST on Sunday, October 18[9]. This warning from the NWS Tiyan indicated that catastrophic winds of 115–135 mph, associated with Champi's northern eyewall, were imminent over the island's southern tip[9]. Destructive winds were expected to continue through 5:30 AM ChST[9]. The NWS warned of life-threatening flying debris, severe damage to vulnerable structures, and downed utility poles and power lines, urging residents to take cover immediately and stay indoors away from windows[9].

As of 10 AM ChST on October 18, Super Typhoon Champi continued its west to west-northwest motion, moving farther away from Guam's coastal waters[2]. The heavy outer rainbands had shifted off the island of Guam[2]. By 11 AM ChST, the storm's center was about 95 miles west-southwest of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph[8]. The Typhoon Warning remained in effect for Guam, Rota, and their adjacent coastal waters[8]. At this time, the Tropical Storm Warning and Typhoon Watch for Tinian and Saipan were cancelled[8]. Forecasts indicated Champi would intensify further through the night, potentially becoming a Category 5 Super Typhoon by late Monday morning[8]. By 12:31 PM ChST, the NWS reported that Champi's eye was well outside Guam's coastal waters to the west, and while destructive typhoon force winds were decreasing, damaging winds were expected to continue through the day[1]. Dangerous seas were predicted to cause damage or capsize vessels[1].