Residents in Guam and Nearby Territories Warned to Brace for Super Typhoon Bavi

On July 5, residents of Guam and neighboring U.S. island territories in the western Pacific were advised to take immediate shelter as Super Typhoon Bavi approached. The cyclone threatened to make landfall early Monday, posing serious risks to areas still recovering from a previous storm earlier in the year.

Super Typhoon Bavi, a vast cyclone advancing towards the Mariana Islands, was expected to strike Rota, according to meteorologist Edwin Montvila from the National Weather Service. He noted that Rota, with less than 2,000 residents located northeast of Guam, was already facing devastating winds. An extreme wind warning had been issued for the area.

Bavi was classified as a category five super typhoon. It featured winds reaching up to 180 mph, with gusts potentially hitting 215 mph, Montvila reported. A satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed the typhoon moving closer to Guam on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

With typhoon warnings in place for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, and tropical storm warnings and watches for other nearby islands, the situation was critical. This development came just months following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which ravaged the region in April with fierce winds and unrelenting rain.

Montvila emphasized the severe danger Bavi posed, urging residents to seek safety in interior rooms and avoid windows. “Being outside might lead to fatal accidents from flying debris. Downed utility poles and power lines are also a threat to life,” he explained.

With Bavi moving quickly, officials hoped it would pass rapidly. However, due to the storm’s size, the islands were expected to experience tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, until at least Monday night. The typhoon exhibited erratic behavior overnight, shifting directions while heading west, Montvila said.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam encouraged the populace to remain at home or in shelters and refrain from using roads. “We face another intense storm on our island, but as always, our preparation and protection plans for our people are in place,” she stated in a video on social media.