In early April, a powerful typhoon formed over the northwestern Pacific Ocean, growing stronger and stronger as it swirled toward the Mariana Islands, a 15-island archipelago east of the Philippines. By the time it reached the islands of Saipan and Tinian on April 14, the wind was gusting 130 miles per hour, rain fell in sheets and huge waves pounded the shores. This super typhoon, called Typhoon Sinlaku, was among the strongest early-season storms recorded in the past 75 years….