YAP ISLANDS — Typhoon Sudal, with winds up to 150 mph, struck the Yap Islands — located about 900 miles southeast of Guam in the Church's Pacific Islands Area — April 9, causing heavy damage to the hospital, homes, schools and many businesses, and leaving 90 percent of the island population without water or power.
No members or missionaries were killed in the disaster, which damaged or destroyed almost all the homes in the community, including most member homes. Most of the 8,000 residents are living in temporary shelters. Nearly all crops were also destroyed.
A Church humanitarian response is underway to assist with emergency relief supplies.