Residents of Guam are bracing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Mawar, the second named storm of the season in the Western Pacific. With maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, the storm is equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. The island is no stranger to tropical cyclones, but it has been nearly 20 years since the last big one, Super Typhoon Pongsona, hit the island.
President Biden declared an emergency for Guam on Tuesday night, allowing federal agencies to assist with relief efforts. The island is now firmly on an emergency footing, with evacuation orders, a flash flood warning and a halt to commercial aviation.
The Roman Catholic church in Guam has urged its congregants to find good in the midst of the storm, and to show kindness and care for those in need. The island’s population is predominantly Catholic, and the message of hope is a reminder of the strength of the community.
Guam is used to tropical cyclones, but the arrival of Super Typhoon Mawar is a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared.