Super Typhoon Champi Damages Guam on Its Way Toward Taiwan

Super Typhoon Champi is on its way to Taiwan after damaging portions of Guam. Here is the latest on this storm that is barreling through the western Pacific Ocean.

Champi Skirts Past Guam, Causing Damage and Displacing Residents

The U.S. territory of Guam experienced a rare swipe by a typhoon over the weekend, ripping off roofs and bringing down trees. Champi came within 12 miles of the southern tip of Guam on Sunday. Crews are still working to determine the true scope of the damage. The governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands both requested emergency disaster declarations on Friday in advance of the storm.

Champi was the third typhoon to impact the Mariana Islands in 2026. With about 150,000 residents, Guam lies to the north of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). These 14 islands have a population of about 50,000 people, with the bulk of the population residing on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Both Guam and the CNMI are part of the Mariana Archipelago, with Guam located in the far southern reaches of this group of islands.

The Red Cross confirmed that it is staffing 15 shelters across four islands. Over 1,000 residents are sheltering at these locations. The aid agency said that "Multiple communities have lost power and water, with as many as 170 wells not operating. Some water systems have been down since Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit the islands in April."

Because Guam is a U.S. territory, it is eligible for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, FEMA said on Saturday that it could take a few days for the relief supplies to reach Guam.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the island of Saipan on April 14, followed by a landfall on Rota from Super Typhoon Bavi on July 6.