Guam and Northern Marianas begin evacuations as Super Typhoon Bavi nears US Pacific territories

Super Typhoon Bavi is approaching Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, prompting emergency evacuations and civil defense preparations across the US Pacific territories as forecasters warned of extremely dangerous wind, flooding, and coastal impacts. The storm is forecast to make landfall early Monday, with winds in excess of 160 mph (257 km/h) and waves potentially nearly 11 meters (35 feet) high, according to the US National Weather Service cited by the BBC.

In Guam, local emergency management authorities opened five evacuation centers in schools, a move described as aimed primarily at vulnerable residents. BBC reported that the sites have a maximum combined capacity of about 1,700 people, and said that one site had already reached maximum capacity by about 13:00 local time on Sunday, when residents were being redirected to another location.

The National Weather Service also warned that destructive conditions could begin well before the storm’s center reaches the islands, with impacts potentially felt eight to 10 hours from the storm’s core. It cautioned residents against waiting, noting that the window to evacuate could close quickly if local officials direct evacuations or if homes are vulnerable to high winds or flooding. The agency also warned that winds would pose a deadly threat to people who venture outside during the worst conditions.

In parallel, the Northern Mariana Islands prepared for the storm as Bavi strengthened. KUAM reported that Governor placed the islands in COR 2 at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, via a Joint Information Center update. The measure indicated escalated emergency posture as the territory moved closer to anticipated hazardous weather.

Bavi has been classified as a super typhoon by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, part of the US Navy, and is expected to pass very near parts of the Mariana archipelago. The BBC reported that the storm is forecast to pass directly over Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by Monday afternoon, though it also emphasized that damaging conditions can begin earlier than the track alone would suggest.

Other reporting on the storm’s evolution described Bavi reaching Category 5 strength, with the typhoon warning area covering Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. The Watchers, citing weather updates, described the system’s rapid intensification and the expectation of life-threatening coastal inundation and flash flooding across parts of the islands.

As the weekend gives way to Monday morning, territorial emergency officials face a time-sensitive challenge of moving residents to shelters and securing infrastructure. The forecast, including the specific warning window in which evacuations may be directed, means the key next steps are likely to be the enforcement of local evacuation orders and continued public communications as conditions deteriorate.

The storm’s approach also raises broader operational stakes for US Pacific disaster response, including readiness of shelter capacity, emergency transportation, and public communications in areas where residents may be dispersed across more than one island. With waves, torrential rainfall, and wind expected at extreme levels, officials will likely prioritize protecting residents who are most at risk, while limiting outside travel during the peak impact period.