TIYAN, Guam — A typhoon in Micronesia is expected to gain strength this weekend and move northwest toward Guam, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to issue warnings about flooding and high winds.

Typhoon Sinlaku could reach the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane when it passes near or just south of Guam early next week, AccuWeather International Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

“This storm is a serious threat to the island of Guam,” Roys said Saturday in a statement. “Sinlaku will produce destructive winds and flooding rainfall, likely leading to power outages and structural damage.”

The Coast Guard is warning people in the U.S. territory to take precautions, while moving its cutters out of Apra Harbor so they can respond to emergency needs after the storm, including search and rescue missions.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said it was possible that Sinlaku could reach typhoon strength by Saturday, and approach Guam on Monday night into Tuesday. The National Weather Service Guam warned the storm, which was in Chuuk State on Saturday, could soon take aim for the Marianas.

The typhoon watch, warning of potential winds of 74 mph or more in the next 48 hours, also extended to nearby Rota, Tinian and Saipan, according to officials in Guam, who said they were prepared to open emergency shelters.

“Flash flooding could become a major issue on Guam because Sinlaku may deliver heavy rain in a short time, and saturated ground can also raise the risk of mudslides,” Roys said.