Authorities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have issued a typhoon warning for the territory’s Northern Islands, as Typhoon In-fa approaches with destructive winds.
CNMI governor David Apatang has declared Typhoon Condition III for Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan.
The warning means destructive winds of at least 74 miles per hour are possible within the next 48 hours.
In-fa was a category 4 typhoon at 1pm Wednesday local time, with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour.
The storm was located about 905 miles east of Saipan, moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour.
Forecasters say In-fa could strengthen into a super typhoon on Wednesday night.
Tropical storm-force winds are expected to begin affecting Pagan and Alamagan late Friday morning, with the typhoon forecast to pass between Pagan and Agrihan at around 7pm.
Conditions are expected to ease in the early hours of Saturday, with improving weather by sunrise.
Residents of the northern islands have been urged to remain in safe shelter from Friday morning until sunrise on Saturday.
They are also being advised to secure essential supplies, including food, water, medication, flashlights, batteries and radios.
No typhoon condition has been declared for Saipan, Tinian or Rota.
However, rain bands from In-fa could bring heavy showers to those islands on Friday, while seas and surf are expected to build from Thursday night.
Authorities are advising residents to avoid north- and east-facing shores.
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