Super typhoon smacks into US Pacific island territories home to key military bases

Super Typhoon Bavi has intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm, posing an severe threat to the U.S. Pacific island territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, particularly the island of Rota, as it approaches and makes landfall in early July 2026. The typhoon is characterized by immense sustained winds reaching up to 285 kilometers per hour (177 miles per hour) and gusts that could exceed 333 kilometers per hour (200 miles per hour).

Authorities anticipate widespread catastrophic damage, including the potential destruction of non-reinforced homes, prolonged power outages lasting weeks to months, severe coastal inundation, and flash flooding. The National Weather Service has issued grave warnings, particularly for Rota, suggesting much of the island could become uninhabitable for an extended period. This comes as the region is still recovering from previous typhoons, exacerbating vulnerabilities for residents and vital military bases in the area.

In response, residents across Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have been undertaking urgent preparations, including moving to emergency shelters, boarding up properties, and stocking up on essential supplies. Emergency readiness has been heightened as the super typhoon's destructive core moves through the region.