Super Typhoon In-Fa: Marianas Braces For Fifth Major Storm

Mark Rabago
RNZ Pacific CNMI correspondent

Super Typhoon In-fa
has regained strength, packing maximum sustained winds of
150 miles per hour as it approaches the Northern Islands of
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(CNMI).

The US National Weather Service (NWS) said the
category 4 storm is expected to pass near or over Agrihan on
Friday afternoon or evening.

Typhoon warnings remain
in effect for Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan, where
destructive winds are expected.

At 4am Friday, In-fa
was located about 290 miles east-southeast of Agrihan and
295 miles east-northeast of Saipan, moving west at 18 miles
per hour.

NWS meteorologist Landon Aydlett said
satellite imagery showed a powerful, well-organised storm
with a large, clearly defined eye.

He said In-fa
appeared to have reached peak intensity and was expected to
weaken gradually as it moved through the
Marianas.

In-fa is the fifth super typhoon to threaten
or pass near the region this year, following Sinlaku in
April, Bavi in July, Choi-wan in early October, and Champi
less than two weeks ago.

Choi-wan moved north of the
Marianas before strengthening into a super typhoon, while
Champi narrowly missed southern Guam before reaching super
typhoon strength as it moved away from the
islands.

The region appears fortunate that In-fa is
tracking well north of the main population centres of Guam,
Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, sparing them the worst of the
storm.

However, the Northern Islands remain at risk,
particularly Agrihan, where the storm could pass directly
overhead. The remote islands are believed to have only three
CNMI residents, although that figure has not been
independently confirmed.

Unlike Sinlaku, which moved
slowly through the Marianas in April, In-fa is travelling at
15 to 20 miles per hour and is expected to pass through the
island chain relatively quickly.

Guam, Rota, Tinian,
and Saipan are expected to experience generally favourable
weather conditions, although dangerous marine conditions
remain a major concern.

Saipan and Tinian are under a
high surf warning, with waves of 12 to 18 feet expected,
along with possible minor coastal flooding and seas reaching
14 feet.

Guam and Rota are under a high surf advisory,
with waves of 10 to 14 feet and seas reaching 10
feet.

High rip current risks remain in effect through
Saturday across all four islands.

Residents have been
advised to avoid dangerous surf and stay out of the water
until conditions
improve.

© Scoop Media