Super Typhoon Devastates US Territories

Super Typhoon Devastates US Territories

Contributed by Kris Baydalla-Galasso

Military forces across the globe are combining efforts to bring aid and relief to areas impacted by Super Typhoon Yutu, particularly Saipan and Tinian.

The Super Typhoon, a Category 5 storm, made landfall last Thursday and immediately took out power and clean water supply for the local residents. As the winds, which reached nearly 180 mph, ravaged the provinces, residents found themselves with limited shelter as many there were many reported cases of roofs being ripped from the housing structure.

The path of the storm spared Guam, which became key to aid and assistance efforts. Guam quickly became the home base for relief operations. Prior to the storms of September and October, FEMA had reported that relief supplies included more than 100,000 liters of bottled water and more than 127,000 packaged meals.Since their initial report, supplies have more than doubled. While even these increased amounts don’t seem like enough to make an impact, it is an excellent reserve on hand and will ensure that victims of Super Typhoon Yutu will have access to adequate food and water. The supplies are already being distributed to those impacted by the storms.

Commonwealth officials are reporting that the impacted regions will likely be without power for months. This report solidifies the thought that US Military operations – which include the Coast Guard, Marine Corps., Air Force, Navy, Army Corps of Engineers and more – will be on site and working together for many months to come.