Typhoon Yutu Was the Strongest Tropical Cyclone on Record to Pass Over Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands (RECAP)

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Super Typhoon Yutu was the strongest tropical cyclone to pass over Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands in NOAA's historical database, packing maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane.

Yutu left behind major damage in Saipan and Tinian in what was being called the worst-case scenario for the U.S. commonwealth. For more details on impacts in the Northern Mariana Islands, see the link below.

(MORE: Latest Updates on Damage From Yutu)

Prior to Yutu, only three other Category 5 super typhoons had passed within 75 miles of the islands of Saipan and Tinian. The last Category 5 super typhoon to do so was Chaba in 2004.

Yutu rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to Category 5 super typhoon in the 24 hours ending 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, local time.

Winds gusted to 103 mph at Saipan International Airport early Thursday, Oct. 25, before wind data stopped transmitting as the eyewall moved in. Some gusts over 50 mph were measured in Guam, along with bands of rain.

The intense eyewall of Yutu was clearly visible from the National Weather Service Doppler radar at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, early Thursday, Oct. 25, before the radar stopped transmitting data. There were numerous lightning strikes within Yutu's eyewall, indicative of an intense tropical cyclone.

(MORE: United States Has Been Struck By Five Category 4 or 5 Tropical Cyclones in 14 Months)

The following week, Typhoon Yutu made landfall at Category 2 intensity on Luzon in the northern Philippines early Tuesday morning, Oct. 30, local time.

Yutu made landfall in Dinapigue in the province of Isabela, home to approximately 5,000 residents, according to Philippine weather agency PAGASA.

Typhoon Yutu was known as Rosita in the Philippines.

The Associated Press reported that Yutu knocked down power poles and trees and also ripped the roofs off small houses in the northern Philippines. More than 10,000 villagers were moved to safety ahead Yutu's arrival in the northern Philippines, the AP said.

For more details on impacts in the northern Philippines, see the link below.

(MORE: Typhoon Yutu Slams into Northern Philippines)

A half-foot of rain had been measured in Tuguegarao from Yutu.

This same region of the northern Philippines was struck by Super Typhoon Mangkhut in mid-September. More than 90 people were killed from the impacts of Mangkhut, mostly due to landslides.