Rota battered by Bavi as emergency crews await all-clear to begin response

As Super Typhoon Bavi's eye passed over Rota, Mayor Aubry Hocog said emergency officials were already preparing for the daunting task that would follow once the winds subsided—checking on residents, clearing blocked roads, and assessing what could become one of the island's most destructive storms in recent memory.

Speaking from the Rota Mayor's Office, which had been converted into the island's command center, Hocog said personnel from the Municipal Operations Center, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., Commonwealth Utilities Corp., and other autonomous agencies remained on standby throughout the storm.

"We are here at the mayor's office. This is our command center," Hocog said.

She said response teams would not be deployed until Gov. David M. Apatang issues the all-clear, after which crews will begin clearing roadways, checking on isolated residents, and ensuring emergency vehicles can reach anyone requiring medical attention. Officials also plan to conduct islandwide damage assessments and account for residents as quickly as conditions permit.

Hocog said the Municipal Operations Center had already received numerous reports of homes sustaining damage as Bavi battered the island. Despite those reports, she urged residents not to venture outside while dangerous conditions persist.

"The safety of our people are of utmost priority," she said.

She encouraged anyone whose home had been compromised to seek shelter inside sturdy concrete buildings, emphasizing that damaged property can be repaired but lives cannot be replaced. She also warned residents not to mistake the calm conditions inside the eye of the storm as the end of the danger, noting that destructive winds would return before the typhoon completely moved away.

Hocog described Bavi as the worst typhoon Rota has experienced during her tenure as mayor. She said the municipality had maintained constant communication with the CNMI government before and throughout the storm through regular weather briefings and emergency coordination meetings.

She added that messages of support had poured in from Apatang, federal partners, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, Guam's mayors, and fellow CNMI mayors. Once initial damage assessments are completed, the island will coordinate whatever assistance is needed, including drinking water, food, medical supplies, and other emergency resources.

"They have offered and already shared that they are on standby and ready to respond if needed," Hocog said.

The mayor also said islandwide utility disruptions were expected. Commercial power had been shut off ahead of the storm, leaving only emergency shelters, the Municipal Operations Center, and homes with private generators supplied with electricity. Water service was also affected after a damaged pipeline and pressure problems disrupted distribution, although CUC had opened water stations before the storm to allow residents to stockpile water.

Municipal Operations Center public information officer Lou Rosario said emergency officials continued operating despite severe weather conditions.

"We are hanging in there," Rosario said. "Some people already reporting major damages."

Rosario said officials continued reminding residents to shelter in place and avoid venturing outside during the eye of the storm because dangerous winds would soon return. He also reported communications problems, saying Docomo Pacific service went down around 7am while some IT&E customers also experienced outages after a communications tower fell.

Meanwhile, Rota Rep. Julie Ogo urged residents to remain patient and continue following emergency advisories.

"We are not out of the woods yet," Ogo said.

She urged residents to stay indoors until authorities issue the official all-clear, warning that floodwaters, debris, and downed power lines could still pose serious dangers even after the strongest winds subside. Ogo also thanked first responders, emergency personnel, and volunteers for continuing to protect the island throughout the storm.