Trending Now - Devastating Typhoon Sinlaku Strikes Isolated U.S. Pacific Islands

WHO:

NPR - Resident Dong Min Lee reported damage in Susupe on Saipan, stating, "I hope people will take an interest and help. The damage is really huge here."

NPR - Jaden Sanchez, spokesperson for the Saipan mayor's office, provided preliminary reports of flooding, uprooted trees, and downed power lines.

ABC News - Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan stated, “It’s hitting us hard. It’s so difficult for us to respond with this heavy rain, heavy wind to rescue people. Objects are just flying left and right.”

ABC News - Glen Hunter, a Saipan resident, noted that residents live in sturdy, fully concrete homes, while those in substandard wooden houses with tin roofs tend to stay with family or in government shelters.

ABC News - Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan reported that some people have been rescued from the storm's impact.

ABC News - Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the weather service, stated, “This is not going to be an easy night for anyone across Tinian or Saipan. This is going to be a loud night.”

ABC News - Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan expressed concerns about the impact of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

PBS - Joshua Schank, a lead meteorologist in Guam for the weather service, provided updates on the storm's path.

ABC News - Glen Hunter, a Saipan resident, shared his experiences with typhoons.

WHAT:

NPR - Winds at 75 mph (121 kph) or greater were expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon, with the eye of the storm moving northwest of Saipan and Tinian.

NPR - The American Red Cross and its partners were sheltering more than 1,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

PBS - The storm was producing sustained winds of 173 mph (278 kph) on April 11th, 2026, as it neared the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

ABC News - The typhoon caused extensive flooding and power outages in the Northern Mariana Islands, with some areas already experiencing significant flooding.

PBS - The storm was producing sustained winds of 173 mph (278 kph) on April 11th, 2026, as it neared the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

ABC News - The typhoon is expected to cross the islands as a Category 4 typhoon.

ABC News - Super Typhoon Sinlaku is the strongest tropical typhoon on Earth so far in 2026, with sustained winds of up to 150 mph (240 kph).

ABC News - The typhoon caused extensive flooding and power outages in the Northern Mariana Islands, home to approximately 50,000 people.

PBS - The typhoon produced sustained winds of 173 mph (278 kph) as it neared the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

ABC News - President Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on April 10th, 2026.

PBS - FEMA is dispatching nearly 100 staff and coordinating support across multiple agencies in response to the storm.

WHERE:

NPR - The village of Susupe on Saipan experienced significant damage, including a commercial building losing its roof.

ABC News - The storm left significant damage to the outer islands and atolls of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia before approaching Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

ABC News - The Northern Mariana Islands, specifically Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, are being impacted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

PBS - Guam, a U.S. territory with about 170,000 residents, is also affected by the storm.

WHEN:

NPR - The center of Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Northern Mariana Islands early on April 12th, 2026, during darkness.

ABC News - The center of Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Northern Mariana Islands early on April 12th, 2026, during darkness.

ABC News - The center of Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounded the Northern Mariana Islands early on April 12th, 2026.

PBS - The storm was producing heavy rain and wind gusts in Guam on April 11th, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - The slow speed of the storm raised fears that the fierce winds would linger and worsen its impact on the islands.

HOW:

NPR - Mayor Ramon "RB" Jose Blas Camacho was out in the community assessing the damage despite the storm conditions.

PBS - FEMA began preparing supplies and staff for the storm late last week, indicating proactive measures in response to the impending disaster.

PBS - FEMA is coordinating support across multiple agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ABC News - The National Weather Service is monitoring the storm and providing updates on its path and impact.

PBS - FEMA began preparing supplies and staff for the storm late last week, indicating proactive measures in response to the impending disaster.

(UPDATED April 15, 2026 15:21 UTC)

Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Northern Mariana Islands early on Sunday, causing significant damage in the village of Susupe on Saipan, where a commercial building lost its roof and residents reported extensive flooding and downed power lines. Winds of 75 miles per hour or greater are expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon, while Mayor Ramon "RB" Jose Blas Camacho has been out in the community assessing the situation despite the ongoing storm conditions. The American Red Cross and its partners are currently sheltering more than 1,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as they respond to this disaster.

(UPDATED April 15, 2026 04:02 UTC)

Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Northern Mariana Islands early on Sunday, bringing sustained winds of 173 miles per hour and causing extensive flooding and power outages. Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan described the situation as dire, stating that the heavy rain and wind made rescue efforts incredibly challenging, while local resident Glen Hunter noted that those in sturdy concrete homes were faring better than those in substandard wooden houses. In anticipation of the storm, FEMA began preparing supplies and staff late last week to address the impending disaster.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 21:18 UTC)

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which produced sustained winds of 173 mph, made landfall on the Northern Mariana Islands early on Sunday, causing significant damage and prompting rescue efforts led by Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho of Saipan. Meteorologist Landon Aydlett warned that the night would be particularly challenging for residents of Tinian and Saipan, as the storm is expected to cross the islands as a Category 4 typhoon. In response to the disaster, FEMA is coordinating support with various agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 17:27 UTC)

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical typhoon of 2026, has been wreaking havoc in the Northern Mariana Islands, with sustained winds reaching up to 173 mph as it approached Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The storm caused extensive flooding and power outages, prompting President Trump to approve emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Friday, while FEMA is mobilizing nearly 100 staff to coordinate support. Local officials, including Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho, are expressing concerns about the storm's lingering effects, as the slow speed of Sinlaku raises fears of worsening conditions.