Super Typhoon Bavi Hits Northern Mariana Islands

Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall on Monday over a small U.S. territorial island near Guam in the western Pacific. The storm brought severe winds and heavy rainfall to the Northern Mariana Islands.

The eye of the typhoon passed over Rota island on Monday morning, with winds exceeding 150 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The storm was moving at around 9 mph towards the Philippines.

Hang tight. We’re coming just out of the peak of conditions. It’s going to be a slow improvement, but improvement is coming. — Meteorologist Brandon Aydlett

The cyclone affected other regions of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, a U.S. territory. The area is still recovering from a destructive cyclone that hit in April. Saipan’s international airport reported wind gusts over 100 mph.

Many residents of Saipan and nearby Tinian have been without power since the impact of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Bavi is classified as a Category 5 super typhoon, with potential winds reaching 180 mph and gusts up to 215 mph.

Typhoon and flash flood warnings were issued for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for other regional islands. The storm could deliver a total of 20 inches of rain before moving on.

Super Typhoon Bavi meets the criteria for a super typhoon with sustained winds of at least 150 mph, equivalent to a high-end Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane.

Bavi poses an imminent danger to life. Residents should move to interior rooms and avoid windows. Entering outside can result in death from flying projectiles. Utility poles and power lines will be down. — Meteorologist Edwin Montvila

Bavi is passing through faster than Typhoon Sinlaku but may still cause tropical storm conditions, including heavy rains, until at least Monday night.

Guam’s Governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, advised people to stay at home or seek 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.

The Rev. Francis Hezel, a priest at Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo, Guam, reported hearing winds for hours since dawn, hoping for minimal damage since most residents live in concrete residences.

Residents in the area are accustomed to typhoons and understand necessary preparations.