Super Typhoon Bavi is rapidly approaching the U.S. Pacific territories of Guam and the Northern Marianas, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of up to 280 kilometers (173 miles) per hour. As residents prepare for the impending storm, officials warn of possible catastrophic damage. The National Weather Service classified Bavi as a "very dangerous" storm, expected to make landfall early Monday.
Residents brace for Super Typhoon Bavi
On Sunday evening, Guam and the Northern Marianas experienced howling winds and heavy rain as Super Typhoon Bavi neared. With a population of approximately 210,000, the regions have seen a marked decrease in traffic as residents heed police warnings to stay indoors. Local businesses are also taking precautions; Pinky Cubacub, a 55-year-old restaurant owner, expressed her concerns while boarding up her eatery, stating, "I cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts."
Many residents are stocking up on supplies as they prepare for the storm. Call center employee Arabella Paulino, 48, reassured her daughters, saying, "My girls were saying to me it's scary. But it will be okay." She noted that her concrete house would withstand the storm's impact, although she acknowledged that a window might break.
Impact and forecasts for the region
Super Typhoon Bavi is forecast to pass closest to Rota, the southernmost island in the Northern Marianas, at around 8 a.m. on Monday (2200 GMT Sunday). The National Weather Service has warned that if Bavi passes near or over Rota, most of the area could become uninhabitable for weeks. The storm is expected to cause extensive damage, with predictions of roof failures, wall collapses, and downed power lines.
