Islands in the western Pacific brace for Super Typhoon Bavi

Key Points:

• Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall Monday on the island of Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands, bringing winds over 150 mph and heavy rain, with the storm moving west toward the Philippines at about 9 mph.
• The storm affected multiple islands including Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, with wind gusts exceeding 100 mph recorded at Saipan’s international airport; many residents were still recovering from a previous cyclone in April.
• Bavi, a Category 5 super typhoon with potential winds up to 180 mph and gusts of 215 mph, prompted typhoon and flash flood warnings across the region, with expected rainfall totaling at least 20 inches.
• Authorities warned of imminent danger to life from flying debris and downed power lines, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid windows, while Guam’s governor emphasized preparedness and sheltering in place.
• Despite the storm’s severity, local residents, familiar with typhoon conditions, expressed hope that damage would be limited due to sturdy concrete homes and ongoing preparedness measures.