A super typhoon with the strength of a Category 5 hurricane, known as Super Typhoon Bavi, struck the U.S. Pacific territories of the Northern Marianas and Guam on July 6, 2026, resulting in reports of significant damage, particularly on the island of Rota. The National Weather Service (NWS) indicated that Rota experienced winds reaching up to 180 mph (290 km/h) as the storm passed through.
Impact on Rota and Surrounding Islands
As Bavi made landfall, the NWS advised Rota's approximately 1,500 residents to seek shelter immediately. Local officials reported “major damage” but faced challenges in assessing the full extent due to disrupted communications. Lou Rosario, the public information officer for the Rota Municipal Operations Center, stated, “We are hanging in there. We are experiencing heavy winds and flooding here... Some people are already reporting major damages.”
The NWS had previously warned that a direct hit could render much of Rota “uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer.” As the storm progressed, residents on nearby islands such as Tinian and the southern tip of Saipan faced winds comparable to a Category 1 hurricane.
Conditions in Guam and Other Affected Areas
In Guam, authorities anticipated 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of rainfall, raising concerns for potential flash flooding. Business owners prepared for the storm by boarding up windows, while many residents remained indoors as police patrolled the virtually deserted streets. “Residents should remain sheltered in place,” the NWS warned, calling the situation “extremely dangerous and life-threatening.”
