For the second time in four months and the first recorded time in the islands history, a Category 5 Super Typhoon is forecasted to strike Guam and Northern Mariana Islands, causing citizens and the military to prepare yet again for powerful winds and potential power outages.
Back in April, Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, with estimated windspeeds of up to 150mph (~130kts) causing an estimated $1.5 Billion in Damage, killing 17. While the islands have been recorded to have been struck 94 times, and on average gets affected by at least 6-7 typhoons yearly.
As of July 4th, at 7 PM ChST Bavi was approximately 390 miles east of Guam, moving west at 8 mph (13 km/h), with Maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (143 kts). A slight shift toward the west-northwest and a slight increase in speed is expected through Monday. The National Weather Service in Tiyan has issued a Typhoon Warning, which is in effect until Tuesday Night. Along with the Typhoon Warning, a Flood Watch is also in effect until late Tuesday, with rainfall amounts ranging from 12-20 inches possible as Bavi passes. Conditions are expected to deteriorate starting in the early afternoon on Sunday. With the 7 PM ChST Advisory, the forecast track is expecting Bavi to be between Guam and Saipan Monday morning. According to Warning Coordination Meteorologist Landon Aydlett “Bavi is coming. We’re going to feel it. Be ready,”
As of 5 AM CST, Guam remains in a Condition of Readiness (COR) level 3, which means that “A typhoon may possibly hit the island within 48 hours.” At 10 PM ChST, the Governor will declare COR 2, which means “A typhoon is expected to hit the island within 24 hours.” Once COR 2 is put into place, all government offices will close until COR 4 (Normal Day to Day) is put into place. Multiple shelters on the island are opening at 7 AM. Those who are seeking shelter have been told to bring at least 7 days worth of food. At 2 PM, all beaches on Naval Base Guam closed. Guam Memorial Hospitals have suspended elective appointments, procedures, as of July 4th at 3 pm. All commercial vessels greater than or equal to 200 gross tons have been ordered to evacuate port in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands by the U.S. Coast Guard.
In Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, Water is to be shut off starting at 12 PM on Sunday in tank-fed areas, with the entire system anticipated to be shut down by 6 PM. In Rota, Water Pressure is already out in the higher elevations. The Northern Mariana Islands are in Typhoon Condition III, which means “Damaging winds are possible within 48 hours or less.” and a Declaration of Significant Emergency has been issued by the Governor. The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation has closed all Outpatient Pharmacies for Sunday July 5th, and will remain closed until an all clear is issued. D-NAP (Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program) operations have been postponed until it becomes safe to do so. Shelters are already open on all three islands within the commonwealth.
The Faytuks Weather Network will be following Super Typhoon Bavi throughout the weekend, and will update once new information is available.
