Typhoon Mawar slammed into Guam on May 24, 2023, as a powerful Category 4 storm. This event marked the strongest typhoon to strike the U.S. territory in over two decades, unleashing devastating winds and heavy rain.

Exact Timing

The storm's eye passed north of Guam's northern coast around 9 p.m. local time (Chamorro Standard Time, ChST) on May 24, 2023. Its southern wall directly battered much of the island, especially the northern third, with sustained winds exceeding 140 mph (230 km/h) and gusts up to 165 mph (266 km/h). The center traversed the Rota Channel between Guam and Rota, intensifying the chaos.

Immediate Impacts

  • Winds and Rain : Over 70 cm (28 inches) of rain fell, causing widespread flooding; winds toppled trees, flipped cars, and demolished walls and power lines.
  • Power Outages : Nearly all of Guam lost electricity starting May 22, with full blackouts by May 24 evening; restoration took weeks.
  • Storm Surge and Damage : Coastal flooding hit hard, downing infrastructure at Andersen Air Force Base; no fatalities, but extensive repairs were needed for 170,000 residents.

Officials declared a state of emergency on May 22, and President Joe Biden approved federal disaster relief on May 27. The typhoon weakened and moved west-northwest by May 25.

Eyewitness Accounts

Residents like Lauren Swaddell described the howling winds: "The coconut trees are flying everywhere" as the storm closed in on May 24 afternoon. Community spirit shone through, with people praying together while hunkered down.

Historical Context

Mawar outdid storms since Typhoon Pongsona in 2002, the last major hit. It approached as a super typhoon, slowing just enough to prolong the onslaught—winds lashed for hours. Recovery efforts focused on utilities, with federal aid aiding rebuilds into late 2023.

TL;DR : Typhoon Mawar hit Guam on May 24, 2023, around 9 p.m. local time , as a Cat 4 monster—the strongest in 20+ years—causing massive outages and damage but no deaths.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.