Typhoon Yutu: Tropical storm hits the Northern Mariana Islands top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Typhoon Yutu is hurtling towards Tawian packing winds of about 166mph, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s (JTWC) latest update. The category 5 storm destroyed homes, overturned vehicles and felled power lines after it smashed the islands of Saipan, Titian and Rota early on Thursday. The eye of the powerful typhoon passed directly over Titian while Saipan was hit by its outer winds. Here are all the latest updates, all times in BST. 9.24pm update: Recap Super Typhoon Yutu is the strongest typhoon of record to pass over Saipan and Tinian. Yutu is now moving across the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Parts of southeast Asia could be threatened by Yutu next week. Maximum sustained winds have dropped slightly to Category 4 intensity, accrording to the latest advisory from the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 8.10pm update: Keep an eye on the weather this weekend AccuWeather meteorologists have forecast Yutu to edge towards northern Philippines as a powerful typhoon, with wind speeds equivalent to those of a Category 3 or 4 hurricane early next week. So people who live in this region should keep a close eye on this storm and start preparing for potential tropical impacts. The storm's influence will first be noticeable to those on land late on Sunday, as clouds, showers and gusty winds will begin streaming across the Batanes, Babuyan Islands and northern and eastern coastal portions of Luzon and perhaps southeastern Taiwan. 6.42pm update: Yutu to be named Rosita locally Typhoon Yutu will be named Rosita when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow. Yutu will pass into the new zone during Saturday morning, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The strong typhoon was packing 111mph as it reached 1,239 miles east of Northern Luzon but had “slightly weakened”, PAGASA said in its latest update at 10am local time. Moderate to heavy rains are predicted to lash Northern and Central Luzon from Monday evening local time. The Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) may be raised on the same day over Isabela and Cagayan aea on the same day. 4.40pm update: Stormy conditions to arrive in northern Phiilppines this Sunday, meteorologists warn Accuweather meteorologists say Yutu will bring stormy conditions to the Philippines as early as Sunday ahead of its arrival in the region next week. The typhoon will bring conditions equivalent to a category 3 or 4 hurricane, with strong winds, rain and clouds as it passes by the northern Philippines. Accuweather said Manila should escape a direct hit but the bad weather conditions will fall across the Batanes, Babuyan Islands plus northern and eastern parts of Luzon. Southeastern Taiwan may also be affected. 3.10pm update: Governor Torres requests President Trump declares 'major disaster' for CNMI Governor Torres has formally requested President Trump declare a “major disaster” for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) due to Yuyu. The governor said he has written a letter To Mr Trump to ask for assistance after the Northern Mariana Islands were hit by their “worst ever experienced” typhoon. In a statement, he wrote: “While joint preliminary damage assessments are ongoing, initial surveys of the devastation from Super Typhoon Yutu are grim and far surpass the destruction seen after Typhoon Soudelor in 2015. Tinian and the southern tip of Saipan were both hit directly by the eyewall of Super Typhoon Yutu causing damage and destruction to hundreds of homes with roofs scattered across the islands. “Tropical storm force winds extended south to Rota and north to Agrihan. “The power grid has suffered extensive damage, the airport and seaport are still closed, and medical facilities are stressed under backup generators.” He added the incident was of “such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the Commonwealth government”. 12.50pm update: Northern Philippines could be hit by Yutu Met Office Storms has warned Yutu could be heading for the Philippines in a tweet this morning, writing: “There are uncertainties over the longer term track of Typhoon #Yutu, but landfall over the northern Philippines next week is a possibility.” Typhoon Yutu tracker LIVE: Yutu could be on its way to the Philippines 12.30pm update: Where is Yutu now? Typhoon Yutu was located about 391 nautical miles west-northwest of Navsta, Guam, at 10am BST, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The category tropical cyclone was packing winds of 149mph, churning at a rate of just under 15mph. Authorities estimate Yutu could make landfall in the Philippines early on Wednesday. 12.25pm: Kat Hopps over takes over live reporting 9.04am update: Citizens asked to stay calm "Please be calm, help is on its way," mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas said in a Facebook Live video. "Our stores are not opening, restaurants have been destroyed and we are left with what we have in our refrigerators in our homes. "We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of emergency of military aircraft." Typhoon Yutu damage: Fierce winds swept in to destroy buildings 6:32am update: Will there be a humanitarian crisis? After Yutu tore through the islands, hundreds of people were displaced after their homes were destroyed. In addition to a lack of shelter, Yutu also caused power and water outages. Saipan Governor Ralph Torres has requested immediate FEMA aid in the hopes of providing quick humanitarian relief. Residents are being told to remain indoors so that the first responders can clear the streets of debris. 5:30am update: What does rebuilding after a massive storm look like? After a major storm, like a hurricane or typhoon, the cost of rebuilding the infrastructure and to reestablish basic services can run into billions of pounds.<doc-sep>Typhoon Yutu: Tropical storm hits the Northern Mariana Islands top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Super Typhoon Yutu is the strongest typhoon of record to pass over the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Yutu is the latest in a series of tropical cyclone that have intensified incredibly fast, strengthening from a Category 1 to Category 5 storm in under a day. NASA says Super Typhoon Yutu struck the US territory with sustained winds of up to 180mph and wind gusts up to 219 miles per hour. The storm strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 280 kph (174mph) before hitting the island and the storm is now tracking northwest toward the Philippines and Taiwan. Mayor of Titian and Aguigan, Joey Patrick San Nicolas, said: “Titian has been devastated by Typhoon Yutu. “Many homes have been destroyed, our critical infrastructure has been compromised. We currently have no power and water at this time.” Yutu could eventually threatened the Philippines, Taiwan or southern Japan next week as the storm tracks across the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The super typhoon will gradually weaken as it moves west-northwestward into the Philippine Sea but will remain a potent Category 3 or 4 equivalent typhoon into early next week. Typhoon Yutu track and spaghetti maps: Will Super Typhoon Yutu hit Taiwan? It remains too soon to be sure if Yutu will strike Taiwan or if it will curl sharply northeastward out to sea. Yutu is the strongest super typhoon to pass near Saipan and Titian in NOAA’s historical database. Prior to Yutu, only three other Category 5 super typhoons had passed within 75 miles of the islands. Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands authorities issued a weather warning late on Wednesday, cautioning residents on Saipan and Titian that storm surges “pose life-threatening risk for those living along the coast.” Surges of five to seven feet were recorded for those islands. Images and footage from Saipan and Tituan showed broken windows, debris scattered across roads and damaging vehicles, with some overturned. The two islands were “bracing for months without electricity or running water”. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, the Marianas' delegate to the U.S. Congress, on Twitter said authorities were working to open more shelters as existing ones were either full or had sustained damage. He said it was likely a team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would arrive on Friday. Typhoon Yutu track and spaghetti maps: Super Typhoon Yutu is the strongest typhoon of record<doc-sep>Typhoon Yutu: Tropical storm hits the Northern Mariana Islands top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Super Typhoon Yutu is currently tied for the strongest tropical cyclone anywhere in the world this year. Satellite images show the gigantic eye of the storm of the equivalent Category 5 hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published terrifying photos of the massive weather system on Twitter. The NOAA wrote: “Check out the eye of Super Typhoon #Yutu in the western Pacific, seen today from #Himawari-8. “The ferocious Category 5 storm is packing 180 mph winds and quickly approaching the U.S. territories of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.” Weather Underground also commented on the massive storm: “One of the strongest storms ever recorded in the US and its territories is hitting the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan and Titian, as Category 5 Super Typhoon #Yutu rolls through with 180mph sustained winds.” And chief meteorologist for KATC Lafayette Rob Perillo described the centre of the storm as nearly “perfect.” He said: “Super Typhoon #Yutu slams N'rn Marianna Islands of Saipan & Tinian (north of Guam) as catastrophic storm w/180mph winds. Typhoon Yutu satellite images: Scary pictures show gigantic eye of the storm Typhoon Yutu satellite images: The typhoon is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane “Yutu went from 50mph tropical storm to 180mph winds w/gusts to 220mph in 48hrs. “Another huge rapid intensification cycle & nearly most perfect eye at landfall.” Packing maximum sustained winds of 180mph the residents of the Northern Mariana Islands called it “the worst storm they have ever experienced.” The typhoon slammed into the remote island communities of Saipan and Tinian, the largest of the Mariana Islands and home to about 55,000 people. Typhoon Yutu satellite images: Yutu is packing maximum sustained winds of 180mph Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan, Joey Patrick San Nicolas posted a video to Facebook saying: "Tinian has been destroyed by Typhoon Yutu, but our spirits have not. “Many homes have been destroyed, our critical infrastructure has been compromised. We currently have no power and water at this time." US President Trump declared a disaster in the Marianas before the storm made landfall on Thursday. Mr Trump has sent more than 100 Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel to help with the aftermath of the storm. Typhoon Yutu satellite images: The storm barrelled through the Northern Mariana Islands<doc-sep>At a Glance Yutu was the strongest typhoon on record to pass over Saipan and Tinian on Oct. 25 local time. It packed winds of 180 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Yutu later made landfall in the northern Philippines as a Category 2 on Oct. 30 local time. Super Typhoon Yutu was the strongest tropical cyclone to pass over Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands in NOAA's historical database, packing maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Yutu left behind major damage in Saipan and Tinian in what was being called the worst-case scenario for the U.S. commonwealth. For more details on impacts in the Northern Mariana Islands, see the link below. (MORE: Latest Updates on Damage From Yutu) Prior to Yutu, only three other Category 5 super typhoons had passed within 75 miles of the islands of Saipan and Tinian. The last Category 5 super typhoon to do so was Chaba in 2004. Yutu rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to Category 5 super typhoon in the 24 hours ending 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, local time. Winds gusted to 103 mph at Saipan International Airport early Thursday, Oct. 25, before wind data stopped transmitting as the eyewall moved in. Some gusts over 50 mph were measured in Guam, along with bands of rain. The intense eyewall of Yutu was clearly visible from the National Weather Service Doppler radar at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, early Thursday, Oct. 25, before the radar stopped transmitting data. There were numerous lightning strikes within Yutu's eyewall, indicative of an intense tropical cyclone. Loop of eyewall lightning detected from 1630 UTC Oct. 23 through 1031 UTC Oct, 24, 2018, associated with Super Typhoon Yutu as it approached the Northern Mariana Islands. (Vaisala/Chris Vagasky) Yutu was the strongest cyclone to hit the United States in 2018. Advertisement (MORE: United States Has Been Struck By Five Category 4 or 5 Tropical Cyclones in 14 Months) The following week, Typhoon Yutu made landfall at Category 2 intensity on Luzon in the northern Philippines early Tuesday morning, Oct. 30, local time. Yutu made landfall in Dinapigue in the province of Isabela, home to approximately 5,000 residents, according to Philippine weather agency PAGASA. Typhoon Yutu was known as Rosita in the Philippines. The Associated Press reported that Yutu knocked down power poles and trees and also ripped the roofs off small houses in the northern Philippines. More than 10,000 villagers were moved to safety ahead Yutu's arrival in the northern Philippines, the AP said. For more details on impacts in the northern Philippines, see the link below. (MORE: Typhoon Yutu Slams into Northern Philippines) A half-foot of rain had been measured in Tuguegarao from Yutu. This same region of the northern Philippines was struck by Super Typhoon Mangkhut in mid-September. More than 90 people were killed from the impacts of Mangkhut, mostly due to landslides.<doc-sep>
Typhoon Yutu: Tropical storm hits the Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Yutu is the strongest cyclone to hit the US in 2018 with its maximum sustained winds of 180mph, according to the Weather Channel. The massive weather system is also tied with Super Typhoon Mangkhut for the strongest tropical cyclone anywhere in the world this year. Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands called it “the worst storm they have ever experienced.” The typhoon slammed into the remote island communities of Saipan and Tinian, the largest of the Mariana Islands and home to about 55,000 people. Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan, Joey Patrick San Nicolas posted a video to Facebook praising the residents' attitude in the aftermaths of the storm. The Mayor said: "Tinian has been destroyed by Typhoon Yutu, but our spirits have not.” Rescue teams and heavy equipment were mobilised across the islands on Thursday as the storm caused blackouts and damage to critical infrastructure. Monstrous Yutu pulled down trees, telegraph poles and tore roofs from buildings as it passed through the chain of 15 islands, located more than 5,600 miles west of the US mainland. Typhoon Yutu: The storm is the strongest to hit the US in 2018 Mayor San Nicolas added: “Many homes have been destroyed, our critical infrastructure has been compromised. “We currently have no power and water at this time." So far there have been no reports of casualties, but about 30 people had to be rescued. President Donald Trump declared a disaster in the Marianas before the storm made landfall and has sent more than 100 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel to help with the aftermath of the storm. Typhoon Yutu smashed into the island communities of Saipan and Tinian Rescue teams are already transporting food and water to residents, delivered by air through Tinian's airport. And Saipan airport sustained severe damage, with collapsed infrastructure and dilapidated buildings. Authorities have warned electricity could take months to return, with reports of severe disruptions to the region's power distribution system. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands’ delegate to US Congress said: “There’s a lot of damage and destruction. It’s like a small war just passed through. Typhoon Yutu: Yutu has maximum sustained winds of 180mph