Super Typhoon Bavi Strikes Near Guam

Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall over a small U.S. territorial island in the western Pacific near Guam on Monday. It brought powerful winds and heavy rain to the Northern Mariana Islands. According to the National Weather Service, the eye of the storm passed over the island of Rota with winds surpassing 150 mph (241 kph). Bavi moved west toward the Philippines at a speed of about 9 mph (14 kph).

National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Aydlett advised residents, “Hang tight. We’re coming just out of the peak of conditions. It’s going to be a slow improvement, but improvement is coming.” The typhoon affected other parts of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Guam, which was still recovering from a destructive cyclone in April.

On the island of Saipan, the international airport recorded wind gusts exceeding 100 mph (161 kph). According to the weather service, many in Saipan and nearby Tinian were without power since Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Bavi was classified as a Category 5 super typhoon, capable of reaching winds of up to 180 mph (290 kph) and gusts of 215 mph (346 kph), according to meteorologist Edwin Montvila.

Typhoon and flash flood warnings were issued for Rota, Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. Tropical storm warnings and watches were also in place for other nearby islands. By the time the storm passes, the region could see at least 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain. The weather service warned Bavi posed an “imminent danger to life.” Residents were advised to seek shelter in interior rooms and avoid windows.

Entering outside can result in death from flying projectiles. Utility poles and associated power lines will be down.

Although Bavi moved through the area quicker than Sinlaku, the weather service noted that the size of the storm meant that tropical storm conditions could persist, including heavy rains, at least through Monday night.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero urged residents to remain at home or in a shelter. “Here we are experiencing another severe force of winds on our island, but as we know, we are always ready and prepared in our planning and our protection of our people,” she said in a social media video posted on Sunday.

Rev. Francis Hezel, a priest at Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo, Guam, heard winds howling outside his house for hours. He expressed hope that the typhoon wouldn’t cause widespread damage because most people live in concrete homes. “By this time, people are used to typhoons,” he mentioned. “They know what they have to do to prepare for them.”