Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are facing Super Typhoon Bavi, which is bringing winds of up to 290 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 350 kilometers per hour. Due to the high risk, authorities have opened evacuation centers and warned of potentially catastrophic consequences.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) has classified Bavi as a super typhoon, a category that includes storms with winds above 240 kilometers per hour and destructive power similar to Category 4 or 5 hurricanes.
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According to the United States National Weather Service (NWS), this extremely dangerous storm is expected to generate waves that could reach up to 11 meters, while major damage has already been reported in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Local authorities said residents have been moved to emergency shelters, while final preparations are also being carried out to confront the storm.
The island of Rota, located about 50 kilometers northeast of Guam, is in the direct path of the super typhoon.
Local officials have urged residents to stay inside their homes, stressing that the weather is expected to worsen rapidly. They also said that strong winds, flooding, and major material damage have already been recorded on the island.
In Saipan, winds exceeding 161 kilometers per hour have been recorded, while many residents are still without electricity following the passage of Super Typhoon Sinlak in April. That typhoon caused the deaths of 17 people and economic damage estimated at around $1.5 billion.
In Guam, where around 170,000 people live, authorities have made five evacuation centers available. One of them filled up very quickly, causing evacuees to be sent to other shelters.
Residents and tourists in the affected areas have taken protective measures. Some businesses have boarded up windows to minimize damage, while several flights have also been canceled due to the extreme weather.
Meteorologists emphasize that Bavi is the second super typhoon to threaten US territories in the Pacific within just a few months.
