Guam is restoring power and water after Typhoon Champi passed about 10 miles south of the island on October 18 as a Category 4 storm. The centre tracked south of Merizo rather than making landfall, but southern Guam was hit hardest, and Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands were also affected. Three people received emergency care, and no deaths have been reported.
The Guam Power Authority had about 51% of its feeders online on October 18 and 70% by October 19. The Ugum surface water treatment plant shut down because of turbidity, and schools were closed for inspections.
Federal support is in place. On October 16, the governors of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands requested emergency declarations, and a presidential emergency declaration has authorised FEMA to support the response in both United States territories. World Central Kitchen is serving hot meals to people in Guam's shelters. The storm comes three months after Super Typhoon Bavi damaged or destroyed about half of the structures on nearby Rota.
Champi is not finished. After passing Guam, it re-intensified to super typhoon strength and is forecast to be near 23°N, 123°E, east of southern Taiwan, by October 23, so its impacts may still grow. Find organizations that respond to typhoons in our list of disaster relief organizations.
To help families in Guam and the Northern Marianas, visit the Typhoon Champi disaster page for donation links.
