The storm gradually intensified as it turned northwest, before it underwent rapid intensification on February 23, while passing to the southwest of Guam, and reached its first peak intensity.

As tropical cyclone watches and warnings were issued and citizens sought shelter, Typhoon Wutip crossed the FSM and inflicted significant damage towards its agriculture and infrastructure, contaminating water sources across the affected islands with its floods and leaving 11,575 people in need of food.

[6] The convection broadened over the system's large but weak circulation, as the disturbance situated over an area of low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures of 28–29 °C (82–84 °F), conditions which are conducive for tropical cyclogenesis.

[8][12] On February 20, Wutip evolved into a severe tropical storm after attaining 10-minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph),[8] before strengthening into a typhoon by 18:00 UTC, according to the JMA,[8] as a central dense overcast began to surface.

[17] Despite a decrease in sea surface temperatures, low wind shear combined with an excellent poleward outflow channel commenced a period of rapid intensification on February 23.

While southwest of Guam, Wutip presented a compact eyewall,[18] and achieved its initial peak intensity at 12:00 UTC; the JMA estimated 10-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and the lowest barometric pressure of 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) around that time.

[20] Development was further hampered by dry air entrainment and the storm's entrance to an environment of low OHC; conditions in the upper troposphere however, remained favorable.

[21] Upon completion the next day, the eyewall thickened, and its associated convection was replenished and reorganized,[22] becoming well-defined and annular, resuming a trend of rapid intensification.

[12] Although maintaining deep convective rings, Wutip did not hold this intensity for long,[24] and by the following day, weakened to below super typhoon strength.

[25] Following a significant increase in vertical wind shear, Wutip's structure began to rapidly deteriorate, no longer exhibiting an eye.

[26] The storm decelerated from a neutral point as it entered the southern edge of the westerlies, meeting higher levels of unfavorable wind shear.

[42] The command post of Chuuk State was activated on February 20–21 under an issued executive order, as falling trees, flooding, and damage towards homes were being reported on the 21st.

Despite no casualties, Wutip ruined many crops with the saltwater floods it produced and, with the water sources contaminated, induced a high possibility of disease outbreaks in the affected areas.

[48] The same day, Cope North, an annual military exercise that takes place around Guam, was paused "as a precautionary measure due to hazardous and potentially damaging winds," according to the Pacific Air Forces.

[51] Civil defense officials warned Guam residents that winds between 64–72 km/h (40–45 mph) and rainfall up to 15.24 cm (6.00 in) were expected, and advised them to stay indoors until the storm had passed.

[60] The tropical storm watch in Rota was later upgraded to a typhoon warning but was canceled by Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios on February 24, when Wutip headed towards a different direction from the islands and no longer posed a threat.

On February 26, a team of 13 from the government of Chuuk was deployed at Pattiw to supply food and water, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Red Cross.

Elimo later revised his declaration on March 2, emphasizing the extensive damages Wutip had caused to infrastructure, food crops, and water sources.

[40] On March 11, FSM President Christian issued a disaster declaration and requested international assistance, releasing $100,000 from the country's emergency fund.

U.S. Chargé d'affaires Heather Coble declared a disaster the following day, allowing the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), FEMA, and the federal government of the FSM to initiate a damage assessment and relieve activities supporting agriculture and food security.

[64] On March 31, a multinational team aboard USNS Brunswick arrived at the Lower Mortlock Islands to support recovery efforts as part of Pacific Partnership 2019.

[66] With this funding, the Catholic Relief Services provided agricultural rehabilitation and the IOM gave food assistance to the areas affected by Wutip.

[63] Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero requested a major disaster declaration on March 25, due to the impact the Mariana Islands had from Wutip during February 23–25.

On May 7, Donald Trump approved the disaster declaration, and made public assistance towards Guam available for eligible local governments and certain non-profit organizations to support the relief efforts.