HAGATNA, United States: Residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands moved into emergency evacuation centres and rushed to complete last-minute preparations on Sunday as Super Typhoon Bavi approached the US Pacific territories.
The National Weather Service (NWS) described Bavi as a “very dangerous” storm and warned of tropical storm-force winds from Sunday afternoon or evening, followed by the potential for catastrophic damage near the typhoon’s centre.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Bavi was forecast to move westwards across the region early on Monday with maximum sustained winds of up to 260-280 kilometres (160-173 miles) per hour, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, and gusts reaching between 315 and 333 kilometres per hour.
The weather service warned of catastrophic wind damage near the eye of the storm, significant flooding from torrential rain, hazardous surf and coastal inundation.
Waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 metres) were also forecast, creating what it described as extremely dangerous conditions at sea.
Heavy rain and strong winds had already begun affecting Guam by Sunday afternoon. Roads were largely deserted as authorities urged residents to remain indoors and complete preparations before conditions deteriorated, according to AFP.
Police patrolled neighbourhoods warning people to take precautions.
Pinky Cubacub, 55, boarded up the windows of her restaurant after buying about 500 dollars’ worth of plywood.
“I cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts,” she told AFP.
She said the business had only recently opened and was generating enough income only to cover rent, utilities, staff wages and supplies.
Call centre employee Arabella Paulino, 48, said her daughters were frightened by the approaching storm.
“My girls were saying to me it’s scary. But it will be okay,” she told AFP.
She said her concrete house should withstand the typhoon, although windows could still be damaged.
Rota faces greatest threat
The Northern Mariana Islands have a population of about 40,000, while neighbouring Guam is home to around 170,000 people. Both are part of the Mariana archipelago but are separate US territories.
The NWS forecast that Bavi would pass closest to the island of Rota, the southernmost island in the Northern Marianas, at around 8am to 10am on Monday local time.
The weather service warned that if the eye of the typhoon passed over or close to Rota, which has a population of about 1,500, much of the island could become uninhabitable for weeks or longer.
It said many non-concrete and non-reinforced homes could be destroyed by roof failures and collapsing walls.
Nearly all trees could be uprooted or snapped, while power poles would likely be brought down, leaving communities isolated and without electricity for weeks or even months.
Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog urged residents to take precautions.
“By working together and taking the necessary precautions, we can help protect our families, neighbours and community. We pray for the safety of our people,” he said.
The Mariana Islands have experienced several destructive typhoons in recent years.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the region in April, cutting power to tens of thousands of residents, uprooting trees, overturning vehicles and tearing roofs from buildings.
In 2023, Super Typhoon Mawar, one of the strongest storms to hit the region in decades, also caused widespread destruction.
