Storm Strength and Impact

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Bavi has been classified as a super typhoon, with sustained winds in excess of 130 knots (150 mph). JTWC predicts that Bavi will reach wind speeds of 150 knots (173 mph) with gusts as high as 180 knots (207 mph) when it passes over the islands. The NWS considers super typhoons to have the equivalent destructive potential as a category four or five hurricane.

The NWS warned that destructive conditions could be expected for eight to 10 hours prior to or after the arrival of the storm’s center. “The window is rapidly closing to evacuate if directed to do so by local officials, or if your home is vulnerable to high winds or flooding,” the agency said, adding that winds “will pose a deadly threat to those venturing outside.”

Preparedness and Evacuation Centers

Guam, a sun-soaked tourist destination with a population of about 170,000, has opened five evacuation centers in schools, these sites have a maximum capacity of around 1,700 and are primarily intended for vulnerable people. At 13:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Sunday, the island’s civil defense office reported that one of the evacuation sites had already reached maximum capacity, and people were being redirected to another site.

Pinky Cubacub. 55, told news agency AFP that she had been boarding up the windows of her eatery in Guam with $500 (£373) worth of plywood, “I cannot afford to lose so many days,” she said, highlighting the economic impact of the storm for small business owners.

Climate Change and Typhoon Frequency

While storms of this strength are unusual for the U.S. islands, scientists say climate change is making powerful typhoons more common in the western Pacific region. The western Pacific is particularly prone to tropical cyclones, and experts are increasingly linking the intensity and frequency of such storms to rising global temperatures.

Residents and officials on Guam are preparing for the worst as the super typhoon moves closer. With time running out for last-minute evacuations, the focus remains on safety and minimizing the impact of what could be one of the strongest storms to hit the region in recent years.