Bavi exits, but officials urge residents to stay sheltered as dangerous conditions persist

As Super Typhoon Bavi continued to move away from the Marianas on Monday, July 6, National Weather Service Guam meteorologist Brandon Aydlett urged residents not to let their guard down, warning that strong winds, flooding and dangerous surf would continue for several more hours despite improving conditions.

In an interview with Marianas Press, Aydlett said Guam experienced near-typhoon-force winds and widespread flooding, while Rota bore the brunt of the Category 5 super typhoon.

"Rota took the full brunt of this Category 5 Super Typhoon Bavi," Aydlett said. "With an estimated wind speed of 180 mph from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, a pretty disastrous wind rating."

He said Tinian and Saipan escaped the worst of the storm, experiencing conditions closer to a Category 1 typhoon, although heavy rain and flooding remained significant concerns.

According to Aydlett, the leading eyewall reached Rota at around 4am Monday after approaching from the east. Residents then endured about seven hours of extreme winds before conditions gradually improved.

"We were issuing Extreme Wind Warnings from about 4am to 5am this morning and then canceled the last Extreme Wind Warning around about 11am," he said. "It was about a seven-hour period of those extreme winds."

He said much of Rota entered the calm eye for roughly 30 minutes to an hour and a half before the backside of the eyewall moved across the island.

By Monday afternoon, Bavi had moved just west-northwest of Rota while maintaining estimated maximum sustained winds of about 175 mph and continuing west-northwest at approximately 13 mph.

Although typhoon-force winds had ended on Rota, Aydlett stressed that dangerous conditions remained throughout the Marianas.

"Conditions are subsiding, but we're not out of the woods yet," he said. "Stay in shelter for a little while longer."

He warned that sustained tropical storm-force winds of 60 to 70 mph could still produce gusts approaching 90 mph, capable of sending debris, downed vegetation and damaged building materials airborne.

Flooding, heavy rain and the possibility of mudslides also remained concerns through Monday evening.

Aydlett advised residents to wait until government officials issue the all-clear before venturing outside.

"The roads will not be very passable with the debris," he said. "Stay in shelter. Wait out a little bit longer until the all-clear is given."

He said residents should allow emergency responders and government agencies to conduct damage assessments, clear roads and restore critical infrastructure before traveling.

The National Weather Service also warned that dangerous marine conditions will continue even after the winds diminish.

Aydlett said large swells impacting the western reefs of the Marianas will keep coastal waters hazardous for several days.

"The waters will be dangerous. Surf will be dangerous. Stay out of the water," he said.

Looking beyond Bavi, Aydlett urged residents not to become complacent despite enduring two super typhoons in just a matter of months.

He said forecasters will continue monitoring the western Pacific for any signs of future tropical development.

"Just because any of us have had a direct hit out of a typhoon does not give us a pass for the next typhoon," Aydlett said. "Focus on the preparations and the reparations from Bavi, but quickly build up your ability to be prepared for the next one."

Comparing Bavi with Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Aydlett noted that Bavi moved through the region much more quickly despite being stronger.

"Sinlaku crawled through at about 5 mph—it got a hotel reservation," he said with a laugh. "Bavi was moving about 10 to 13 mph, moving faster, quicker out of the area."

Even so, he noted Bavi was more intense at its closest approach, with estimated winds of 175 to 180 mph over Rota compared with Sinlaku's roughly 150 mph when it affected Saipan and Tinian.

While typhoon warnings are expected to be lifted as Bavi continues moving away, the National Weather Service said it will continue issuing regular updates until the storm exits the region completely.