Overview

Typhoon Champi (2026) was a named tropical cyclone in the Western Pacific Ocean, designated T2630 and 29W, and part of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season. The name Champi was contributed by Laos and refers to the white champaca or plumeria; it replaced the retired name Ketsana. The storm strengthened into a Category 4 super typhoon as it moved past Guam, with sustained winds reported at 150 mph (240 kph). After passing close to Guam’s southern tip, it was located about 130 miles (210 kilometers) west of the island and moving west at 16 mph (26 kph), with the possibility of strengthening into a Category 5 super typhoon.

Warnings and regional context

Guam and Rota remained under a typhoon warning, while the tropical storm warning and typhoon watch for Tinian and Saipan were canceled. Airports, harbors, and some health facilities in the affected territories were closed. The event occurred while Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands were still recovering from super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, which struck in April and July, respectively.

Emergency response

The governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands requested emergency disaster declarations on Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Guam on Saturday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate federal disaster relief efforts. FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance was available for Guam to supplement local response efforts following Typhoon Champi, and said resources were unlikely to reach the islands for three to five days.