Typhoon Bavi Strikes Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

On Monday, Super Typhoon Bavi struck Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands with strong winds and heavy rain. The Category 5 storm caused significant disruptions in these U.S. territories, including power outages and warnings of potential flash floods.

Rota, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, experienced the storm’s full force. According to the National Weather Service, the typhoon reached the intensity of a Category 5 hurricane.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities had been reported in either Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands by early Monday afternoon. However, Saipan, the Northern Marianas’ capital, faced an island-wide power outage on Sunday night. The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the local electricity provider, confirmed the outage.

The Guam Power Authority reported that the island’s strong winds and gusts downed power lines, leading to power disruptions. Officials anticipated further outages as the situation evolved. The region could expect 12 to 16 inches of rainfall from the storm, with Rota potentially receiving up to 20 inches. Consequently, a typhoon warning and a flood watch were issued, while Rota was under an extreme wind warning.

With a population of about 150,000, Guam’s authorities activated the highest level of a four-tier alert system in response to the storm. They opened evacuation shelters and limited access to U.S. military facilities on the island.

As of Monday afternoon, main airports in Guam and the Northern Marianas had canceled all flights. Several ports also suspended operations due to the storm’s impact. The region is still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Sinlaku, which caused widespread damage in April.

This situation is ongoing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.