Key facts
- Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall on Rota, a U.S. territorial island near Guam.
- The storm brought sustained winds up to 180 mph and gusts up to 215 mph.
- Typhoon warnings were in effect for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan.
- Residents were advised to seek shelter and stay away from windows.
- Heavy rainfall of 12 to 20 inches is possible, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall on Monday over Rota, a small U.S. territorial island in the western Pacific near Guam, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain. The U.S. National Weather Service reported that the storm began passing over Rota on Monday morning local time, with residents urged to stay indoors. The typhoon threatened other parts of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory east of the Philippines, as well as Guam.
The weather service stated that Rota was experiencing "catastrophically destructive" winds. An extreme wind warning was in effect for the island. The cyclone was forecast to be a Category 5 super typhoon, with sustained winds potentially reaching 180 miles per hour (290 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 215 miles per hour (346 kilometers per hour).
In addition to Rota, typhoon warnings were issued for Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. Tropical storm warnings and watches were in place for other islands in the vicinity. The weather service emphasized the "imminent danger to life" posed by Bavi, advising residents to move to interior rooms, stay away from windows, and "hunker down" due to the risk of flying projectiles and downed utility poles.
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero encouraged residents to remain home or in shelters and to avoid the roads, stating that the island was prepared for the severe winds.