Residents and US military bases across Guam were warned to brace for a devastating impact from Typhoon Mawar as the Category 4-strength storm closed in on the Pacific island territory.

Mawar, which was earlier downgraded from super-typhoon status, is forecast to sweep over the US territory Wednesday and to strengthen on approach with maximum sustained winds of about 145 miles (233 kilometers) per hour and gusts of as much as 175 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said in a statement.

President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency and ordered the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts. The US military holds almost a third of the island’s land, including the Andersen Air Force Base, and has about 6,000 US military personnel stationed on Guam.

“The triple threats of Cat 4 Typhoon Mawar are torrential rains that may result in landslides and flash flooding, catastrophic wind, and life-threatening storm surge,” the service said in its statement. “All preparations for the protection of life and property should now be complete.”

The island’s population of about 169,000 was warned by Guam’s Governor Lou Leon Guerrero to seek shelter no later than 9 a.m. local time with the storm expected to intensify through the morning. Guerrero had ordered the evacuation of some low-lying areas on Tuesday.

Officials at the Pentagon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on US military preparations for the storm. The US Marine Corps this year opened their first new military base in 70 years on Guam. B-1B bombers are regularly based at Andersen Air Force Base.

--With assistance from Bill Faries.

Author: David Stringer and Brian K. Sullivan