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Super Typhoon Bavi causes 'major' damage to US Pacific islands
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Disasters & Emergencies

Super Typhoon Bavi causes 'major' damage to US Pacific islands

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • - Super Typhoon Bavi struck the US Pacific territories of the Northern Marianas and Guam with Category 5 hurricane-force winds.
  • Authorities reported "major" damage on the small island of Rota, with communications severely impacted.
  • Residents were urged to shelter in place as the storm brought fierce winds and heavy rain, with potential for widespread, long-term power outages.

A "super typhoon," equivalent in force to a Category 5 hurricane, has battered the US Pacific territories of the Northern Marianas and Guam. Authorities have received reports of "major" damage on the small island of Rota, located less than 50 miles north of Guam.

We are hanging in there. We are experiencing heavy winds and flooding here... Some people are already reporting major damages

— Lou RosarioPublic information officer at the Rota Municipal Operations Center describing the immediate impact of the typhoon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) stated that the "entirety" of Rota was engulfed by Super Typhoon Bavi's eye, with winds reaching up to 180 miles per hour. The storm is moving slowly westward, but the islands continue to experience severe winds and rain, forcing residents to remain indoors. Communication lines, including cellphone services, have been disrupted due to fallen towers.

treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW!

— National Weather ServiceUrging Rota residents to take immediate shelter as the storm hit.

Earlier warnings from the NWS indicated that a direct hit on Rota could render most of the island "uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer." The storm has caused widespread destruction, snapping trees and leading to anticipated power outages lasting "weeks to possibly months." Other areas, including Tinian, northern Guam, and southern Saipan, experienced winds comparable to a Category 1 hurricane.

We are hanging in there. We are experiencing heavy winds and flooding here... Some people are already reporting major damages

— Lou RosarioPublic information officer at the Rota Municipal Operations Center describing the immediate impact of the typhoon.

Authorities on Guam anticipated 8 to 12 inches of rainfall, raising concerns about potential flash flooding. The NWS continues to classify the situation as "extremely dangerous and life-threatening," urging residents to stay sheltered. Residents on Tinian reported being prepared but concerned about limited fuel supplies, with power already having been restored only days prior from a previous typhoon in April.

Residents should remain sheltered in place. NWS continues to describe this as an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation

— National Weather ServiceIssuing a continued warning to residents to stay sheltered.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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