A Category 5 Storm Looms Large

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of a 'very dangerous' super typhoon approaching the US Pacific Islands, with winds of 260 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 315 kph. This is equivalent to a category 5 hurricane. People in Guam and the Northern Marianas are being evacuated to emergency centers and are making last-minute preparations.

### 'Catastrophic' Damage Expected

The NWS has projected that tropical storm force winds will hit Sunday afternoon or evening, with 'catastrophic' damage anticipated near the storm's center. Significant flooding from torrential rains and coastal inundation are expected, with waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters) creating extremely dangerous conditions at sea.

### Residents Prepare for Impact

In Guam, few cars were on the roads on Sunday as heavy rain and strong winds lashed the island. Pinky Cubacub, 55, boarded up the windows of her eatery, saying she had bought $500 worth of plywood at a lumber store on Saturday. 'I cannot afford to lose so many days. It hurts,' she told AFP.

### A Community in Crisis

The Northern Marianas has a population of around 40,000, and nearby Guam has around 170,000 residents. The region has experienced several massive typhoons in recent years, including Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April and Super Typhoon Mawar in 2023. These storms knocked out power, uprooted trees, overturned cars, and ripped metal roofs off buildings.

### The Response Effort

Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are on the ground in Guam, and the island's distribution center has stockpiled 1.1 million liters of water, 1.2 million meals, 6,700 cots, and 90 generators. Guam has opened five evacuation centers in schools, with a total capacity of 1,900. Local authorities have 'learned a lot of lessons' from past storms and are better prepared this time.

### The Science Behind the Storm

The world's oceans have experienced their hottest June on record, and El Nino has already begun in the tropical Pacific. Warmer oceans help tropical storms intensify and add more moisture, which can fall as heavy rain. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that El Nino, which typically occurs every two to seven years, will be strong.

### A Resident's Fear

Japanese tourist Miku Sakurai, 25, was scheduled to fly back to Tokyo on Sunday but has had to cancel her flight due to the storm. 'We will stay in the hotel when the storm comes. I am scared,' she told AFP.

### Key Facts

  • Super Typhoon Bavi is forecast to hit the US Pacific Islands on Monday at 10:00 am (0000 GMT)
  • Winds: 260 kilometers per hour
  • Gusts: 315 kph
  • Expected damage: catastrophic and significant flooding
  • Evacuation centers: five in Guam, with a total capacity of 1,900
  • FEMA teams on the ground: yes
  • Distribution center stock: 1.1 million liters of water, 1.2 million meals, 6,700 cots, and 90 generators