Super Typhoon Bavi is bringing intense winds to the remote U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, as forecasters warn of the potential for severe damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued typhoon warnings for the islands of Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.
On Monday morning local time, the eye of the storm was passing over the island of Rota. "Widespread destructive winds in excess of 150 mph are occurring," the NWS said. Rota is located some 40 miles northeast of Guam.
"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," forecasters said in an update.
Local NWS meteorologist Landon Aydlett spoke to NPR from central Guam just after 1:30 a.m. on Monday local time. He said weather conditions were steadily deteriorating across all four populated islands, including torrential rain and strengthening winds.