'We're seeing the birth of a monster:' Trump approves major disaster declaration for Guam, CNMI as Bavi speeds up

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Guam and the CNMI as Typhoon Bavi rapidly intensified overnight, becoming a Category 5 super typhoon at 7 a.m. today.

According to the National Weather Service Guam's latest update, Bavi continues to strengthen as it tracks toward the Marianas, packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

Bavi is forecast to reach a peak intensity of 175 mph on Sunday, then begin a very slow and gradual weakening trend before reaching and passing through the Marianas.

"We are seeing the birth of a monster in the region, and this poses a significant threat to all of the islands of the Marianas," Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist at NWS, said at Friday's briefing.

As of 7 a.m. today, Super Typhoon Bavi was located 480 miles east of Guam and 445 miles east-southeast, still moving west.

"Since Friday, the latest forecast track reflects a slight southward shift through the Marianas, still passing between Rota and Tinian, but now nearer to Rota. The forecast intensity at the time of passage is 165 mph," NWS said.

Bavi's pattern can still be erratic.

"Remember, this is not the guaranteed final forecast. We have two days before this thing passes the islands. This could shift back northward again, closer to Saipan or shift to the north of Saipan, or it could shift southward closer to Guam," Aydlett said Friday.

He recalled Typhoon Sinlaku's sudden shift after the initial long-range forecast had indicated a track toward Guam.

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"Over a 24- to 30-hour period, that track shifted from a Guam passage to a passage toward Saipan and Tinian," Aydlett said. "So these changes can and do occur."

Just the same, Aydlett advised residents to prepare for the worst.

"Bavi presents a grim outlook for the Marianas, so take these threats seriously," he said.

Guam Del. James Moylan said Trump's disaster declaration unlocks critical federal resources to support the island's recovery efforts.

It authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide

emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance to help protect lives, property and public health and safety acrossGuam and the CNMI.

"As our island now prepares for the potential impacts of Typhoon Bavi, this declaration comes at a critical time. It will help ensure our government has the federal resources necessary to continue recovering from Super Typhoon

Sinlaku while remaining prepared to respond to any additional challenges that may lie ahead," Moylan said.

“As we continue recovering from Sinlaku, this assistance is especially important to help us protect lives, support our communities, and strengthen our response across the islands," CNMI Gov. David M. Apatang said

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