Bavi may hit Rota;

 By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Guam shelters have reached 50 percent capacity as heavy rains and strong winds set in, with Typhoon Bavi anticipated to make landfall around 8 a.m. Monday morning. 

The latest weather forecast indicated that Rota may face the greatest risk.

“Right at the center, those vicious 120 to 160 mile per hour sustained winds are going to be very close to the center," Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said at a briefing this afternoon.

Bavi is expected to make landfall around 8 a.m. Monday morning. 

 “The greatest risk looks to be Rota. Right at the center, those vicious 120 to 160 mile per hour sustained winds are going to be very close to the center," Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said at a briefing this afternoon.

 "They're going to be in that eyewall convection, that very heavy torrential rainfall,” he added.

 If Rota is at the center of the storm, Aydlett said Guam would be on the edge of the tropical storm typhoon force winds, while Tinian and Saipan will be on the other side of the typhoon wind extent based on the current forecast track,

As of 7 p.m., Bavi was located at 13.6N 147.6E, 190 miles east of Guam. It is moving northwest at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph.

Bavi slightly weakened today, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to 155 mph from 160 mph the previous day. “This remains a highly destructive super typhoon. At 155 miles per hour, it is just two miles per hour short of Category 5 conditions. So, while it's slightly weaker than yesterday, the difference won't be noticeable,” said Landon Adylett, a meteorologist at NWS.

   The Guam Power Authority said power service restoration is being conducted throughout the night as conditions allow.

   GPA said its line crews continue to actively address power-related issues and restore service throughout the island in northern, central and southern sectors "until it is determined that conditions are no longer safe for repairs."

   In the Northern Mariana Islands, Gov, David Apatang announced that all government offices will remain closed until an “all clear” declaration is issued.

Saipan began experiencing an island-wide power outage, while Guam has power fluctuations and isolated outages.

At 10:34 p.m. Sunday, NWS issued a special marine warning for Rota coast waters due to severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts. They were located over western Guam moving south at 45 knots.

As of 9 p.m., Super Typhoon Bavi was located at 13.7N 147.2E, 160 miles east of Guam. It is moving west-northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph.

Bavi is expected to pass through the Marianas, near Rota or in the Tinian Channel, around 8 a.m. Monday morning.

Based on the current forecast, Guam can expect:

● Rain: Rainfall amounts between 12 and 20 inches are possible during Bavi’s passage, resulting in flash flooding through early Tuesday morning. Flood watch remains in effect through late Tuesday night. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas.

● Wind: All of Guam can expect strong tropical storm force winds of 58 to 73 mph, while the northern half of Guam will experience Category 1 typhoon force winds, with maximum speeds forecast to be in the 60 to 80 mph range, with gusts to 100 mph. Loose outdoor items will become projectiles, causing additional damage and possible injury.