Dangerous Super-Typhoon Bavi Approaches U.S. Pacific Islands

Super-typhoon Bavi, packing winds equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, is poised to strike Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic wind damage, storm surges, and dangerous surf to the U.S. Pacific territories, home to about 210,000 people.

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We cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts.

Residents are boarding up windows and securing property as authorities warn of the severe threat. Pinky Cubacub, a 55-year-old restaurant owner, spent $500 on plywood, expressing concern about lost business days. "It hurts," she said. Arabella Paulino, 48, felt her concrete house offered some security, though her daughters found the situation frightening.

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My daughters told me it was scary, but everything would be okay. My house is concrete, so the worst that could happen is a window breaks.

Tourists are also affected, with Japanese visitor Miku Sakurai's flight to Tokyo canceled. She plans to stay in her hotel during the storm, admitting she is scared. In contrast, a dozen surfers were seen taking advantage of the windy conditions at a Guam beach, finding the rough water "a lot of fun."

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We will stay in the hotel when the storm arrives. I am scared.

This region has experienced devastating typhoons before. Super-typhoon Sinlaku in April left tens of thousands without power and caused significant property damage. In 2023, Typhoon Mawar, the largest in decades, also brought widespread destruction. Forecasters predict Bavi will pass closest to the small island of Rota, where about 1,500 people live, potentially rendering much of the area uninhabitable for weeks.

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There is quite a bit of trash in the water, but it is a lot of fun.