Typhoon Champi passes south of Guam; strong winds and rain continue

 Conceptual illustration — not actual satellite imagery. Typhoon Champi has passed just south of Guam, but strong winds, rain and hazardous seas continue. The National Weather Service said in a 7:04 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time update on Sunday, October 18, that the storm’s closest approach was over, with its eye passing about 10 miles south of Merizo (Malesso’). The compact typhoon-force wind field was confined to southern Guam; damaging tropical-storm-force winds remained over central and northern parts of the island and were expected to weaken gradually through the afternoon. The [NWS update](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=TXT&glossary=0&issuedby=GUM&product=AFD&site=SLC&version=1) says Champi’s winds fell short of earlier forecasts, in part because dry air entered the storm and its strongest wind field was smaller than expected. At Guam International Airport, NWS forecasters reported sustained winds of 45–55 mph and gusts to 80 mph. Public Radio Guam reported that the storm’s drier front side kept rainfall below earlier expectations, while its wetter back side was bringing more showers and torrential rain. These airport readings and rainfall observations do not describe conditions everywhere on Guam. The Guam Joint Information Center’s 8:15 a.m. update said all 98 Guam Waterworks Authority production wells were online as of 8 a.m., with 72 running on standby generators. GWA had received reports of low or no water pressure in parts of Pago Bay, Malesso’ and Latte Heights, while reporting no sewer overflows. The Ugum treatment plant was secured on generator power after flooding raised river turbidity; the reservoir remained unaffected. Crews will respond to water and wastewater emergencies once conditions are safe, according to the [JIC bulletin](https://ghs.guam.gov/jic-release-no-12-super-typhoon-champi-made-its-closest-point-approach-remain-indoors-conditions). The all-clear has not been given. Coastal flood and high-surf warnings remain in effect into Monday morning, and officials are urging people to stay indoors until COR 4 is announced and to avoid the water. The public updates reviewed so far have not provided a full island-wide damage or casualty assessment. ~worldnews ~typhoon