Super Typhoon Sinlaku: Emergency Declared in CNMI and Guam

President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as Super Typhoon Sinlaku approaches the region. The storm has intensified into a Category 5 super typhoon, bringing threats of destructive winds and flooding to the islands.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported in a bulletin issued at 1 a.m. On April 13, 2026, that Sinlaku had reached wind speeds of 175 mph. The system was moving north-northwest at 10 mph and nearing its peak strength. Other reports indicated wind speeds topping out at 180 mph on the morning of April 13, 2026, as the storm tracked toward Saipan and Tinian.

Impacts and Warnings for CNMI

Authorities in the CNMI have raised Typhoon Condition II for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, signaling that damaging winds are expected within 24 hours. Typhoon-force winds are forecast to arrive by early April 15, 2026.

Landon Aydlett, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Guam, noted that the storm’s track shifted slightly north on April 12, 2026. Current projections suggest the typhoon may pass over Saipan rather than remaining south of Tinian. Aydlett warned that even if the system passes 50 miles away, it would still bring destructive conditions.

The storm’s reach is extensive, with typhoon-force winds extending approximately 60 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds reaching up to 275 miles. These conditions have led to widespread flight cancellations in the CNMI.

Emergency Declarations and Federal Response

President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for the CNMI under the Stafford Act following a request from Governor David Apatang. Apatang cited an imminent and escalating threat to life, public health and safety, and critical infrastructure.

CNMI delegate to the US Congress Kimberlyn King-Hinds stated that the federal support would provide necessary resources before, during, and after the storm.

Similarly, a presidential emergency declaration was approved for Guam at the request of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. This declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts across the entire territory of Guam.

We thank President Trump for his swift action in granting my request, and for his continued support of Guam as we face the impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku. This declaration ensures that federal resources are immediately available to protect our community.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero

Situation in Guam

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero previously declared a state of emergency and placed Guam in Condition of Readiness 3 at 5 p.m. On a prior date, anticipating that the system would hit the island by April 15, 2026. Early forecasts suggested the storm could reach Category 3 or 4 status, with winds around 120 mph, as it approached Guam between April 13 and April 15, 2026.

Despite a northwestward shift on April 12, 2026, Governor Guerrero stated that Sinlaku remains a serious weather event for Guam. Current projections indicate Guam may see weaker winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, though typhoon-force winds remain a possibility if the storm shifts southward.

Meteorologists have indicated that Sinlaku is expected to have a destructive impact similar to that of Super Typhoon Mawar in 2023. The Joint Region Marianas has hoisted a Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Storm Watch on Guam to manage the arriving threats.