{"id":45621,"date":"2023-05-26T21:52:59","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T21:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/05\/26\/military-prepares-for-disaster-relief-on-guam-after-massive-typhoon\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:06:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T16:06:28","slug":"military-prepares-for-disaster-relief-on-guam-after-massive-typhoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2023\/05\/26\/military-prepares-for-disaster-relief-on-guam-after-massive-typhoon\/","title":{"rendered":"Military prepares for disaster relief on Guam after massive typhoon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The military is launching disaster and humanitarian relief efforts on Guam after Typhoon Mawar ravaged the island earlier this week<\/a>, causing massive damage, power outages and water shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strongest typhoon to hit the territory of roughly 150,000 people since 2002, Mawar briefly made landfall around 9 p.m. Wednesday as a Category 4 storm at Andersen Air Force Base on the northern tip of the island, weather service officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rivers spilled over their banks in the wake of the storn, which ripped roofs off homes, flipped vehicles and shredded trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andersen officials said Friday that airmen had conducted an initial damage assessment to restore the base to mission-ready status and are currently working on bringing back power and water to the base, while other military units are preparing to step in to assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A top priority is clearing the airfield from debris so that outside agencies can provide assistance and supplies as part of recovery efforts, according to Brig. Gen. Paul Fast, 36th Wing commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hagatna River overflows it’s banks and encroaches into the Bank of Guam parking lot in Hagatna, Guam, Thursday. The Category 4 typhoon pummeled the U.S. Pacific territory with howling winds, torrential rain and a life-threatening storm surge as residents hunkered down. (Rick Cruz\/The Pacific Daily via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThankfully, no member of Team Andersen was seriously injured,\u201d Fast said in an Air Force statement. \u201cCurrently, our top priority is sustaining life and ensuring the well-being of our members, but we are also prioritizing opening our airfield to bring in aid for the island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t