Super Typhoon Bavi Threatens U.S. Pacific Territories

Satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has captured Typhoon Bavi positioned east of Guam on July 3, 2026. The U.S. Pacific territories, including Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, brace for significant impact from Super Typhoon Bavi, which is expected to cause severe destruction.

The forecast predicts Bavi will pass through the region by Monday morning local time, posing a catastrophic threat to these Pacific territories. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued typhoon warnings for Guam along with the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.

According to Landon Aydlett, a local NWS meteorologist, conditions were worsening across all four populated islands late Sunday night. He reported experiencing heavy rainfall and increasing winds. Aydlett characterized the storm as a powerhouse, likely bringing near-catastrophic damage to any island directly hit, particularly Rota, which sits northeast of Guam.

The super typhoon was tracking northward with winds sustained at 165 miles per hour, as reported by Guam’s Joint Information Center. Forecasts from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center indicated Bavi might intensify to winds of 180 miles per hour, classifying it as a major Category Five storm. Expectations for structural damage, tree falls, and power disruptions remain high.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam heightened emergency readiness status across the island on Sunday. During a press briefing, she urged residents to stay safe, avoid roads, and refrain from entering the water. Emergency shelters quickly filled as residents sought refuge, particularly those in vulnerable wooden or tin homes.

Communities are especially concerned for those still recovering from Typhoon Sinlaku, which impacted the region in April, leaving many vulnerable. Reports suggest that shelters on Saipan and Tinian are overcrowded, turning away people as they fill to capacity. Regions like northern Guam, with substandard housing, remain particularly at risk.

Already, Guam experiences power outages, canceled flights, and suspended operations at the Port Authority. Authorities have issued flash flood warnings throughout Guam, Dededo, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian, affecting schools and hospitals.

Aydlett and other officials have been cautioning residents about the storm’s potential severity, urging them to remain indoors to prevent danger. They aim for zero fatalities, emphasizing the hazards of venturing outside during this powerful typhoon.

Andersen Air Force Base on Guam has restricted access, allowing only essential personnel due to the storm’s threat. Dana Williams of Isla Public Media has contributed insights to this detailed report.