Super Typhoon Bavi bears down on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

Evacuations Underway in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

Emergency evacuations are taking place in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as super typhoon Bavi approaches. The storm is forecast to make landfall early on Monday morning, with winds of up to 257km/h (160mph), according to the US National Weather Service (NWS). The agency warned that the 'very dangerous' storm could cause 'catastrophic' damage, with 'significant flooding from torrential rains' possible and waves potentially nearly 11m (35ft) high on Monday.

Residents Prepare for the Worst

Pinky Cubacub, 55, told 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. It hurts,' she said. 'Because I just started, whatever we're making right now is just for rent, utilities, and my people, and supplies. I don't even pay myself yet.'

Climate Change Makes Powerful Typhoons More Common

While storms of this strength are unusual for the US islands, scientists say climate change is making powerful typhoons more common. Warmer sea surface temperatures drive more moisture into the atmosphere, supercharging storms. Bavi is expected to pass directly over Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by Monday afternoon, but the NWS warned that destructive conditions could be expected for eight to 10 hours prior to or after the arrival of the storm's centre.

Previous Storms Have Caused Devastating Damage

This year alone, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have already experienced one super typhoon – Sinlaku in April, which killed 17 people and caused about $1.5bn (£1.1bn) in damage. The region is particularly prone to tropical cyclones.

Evacuation Centres Have Been Established

Guam has opened five evacuation centres in its schools. These sites have a maximum capacity of around 1,700 and are primarily intended for vulnerable people. The island's civil defence office said at 13:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Sunday that one of the evacuation sites had already reached maximum capacity and that people were being redirected to another site.

Residents Are Bracing for the Storm

Japanese tourist Miku Sakurai, 25, told AFP that her return flight to Tokyo on Sunday had been cancelled. 'We will stay in the hotel when the storm comes. I am scared,' she said.

Climate Change Continues to Impact the Region

A strong El Niño event – a periodic warming of an area of surface water in the Pacific that contributes to weather patterns – is expected to push more tropical storms into these higher intensities. Scientists warn that this will make powerful typhoons more common in the region.

Bavi Will Be

the 11th Category Four or Five Tropical Cyclone to Hit US Territory in the Past Decade

Bavi will be the 11th category four or five tropical cyclone to hit US territory in the past decade – one more than the total recorded in the prior 57 years. This trend is a concern for residents and scientists alike.