Evacuations in Guam as super typhoon Bavi approaches
Emergency evacuations are underway in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as the super typhoon hits the US Pacific regions.
Bavi is expected to make landfall early Monday morning, with winds reaching 257 km/h (160 mph), according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).
It warned on Monday that the “very dangerous” storm could cause “catastrophic” damage, “serious flooding from heavy rains” and potentially waves around 11 meters high.
The Western Pacific region is particularly prone to tropical cyclones. While storms of this intensity are unusual for the U.S. islands, scientists say climate change is making powerful typhoons more common.
Bavi is expected to pass directly over Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday afternoon, but the NWS warned that devastating conditions could be expected eight to 10 hours before or after it reaches the center of the storm.
“The window closes quickly for evacuation if directed by local authorities or if your home is vulnerable to high winds or flooding,” the agency said, adding that the winds “will pose a lethal threat to those who venture outside.”
Guam, a generally sunny tourist destination with a population of about 170,000, has opened five evacuation centers in its schools. These sites have a maximum capacity of around 1,700 and are primarily aimed at vulnerable people.
The island’s civil defense office said at 13:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Sunday that one of the evacuation areas had already reached maximum capacity and people were being directed to another area.
