A powerful super typhoon, known as Babi, swept through the U.S. Pacific Islands on Monday, unleashing winds that surpassed 180 mph. Forecasters are warning residents about the severe potential for damage, life-threatening flooding, and extended power outages.
This super typhoon, comparable to a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall on Rota Island in the Northern Mariana Islands, which is home to around 2,000 residents.
Wind speeds are expected to top 180 mph, with gusts hitting over 150 mph across the island, according to forecasts.
The National Weather Service indicated that such intense winds could lead to building damage, toppled trees, and downed power lines, potentially leaving people without electricity for a long time.
Heavy rainfall is also a concern, likely contributing to significant flash flooding. The downpours may continue even as the storm moves on.
Coastal flooding is a real threat as strong onshore winds raise storm surges, creating dangerous ocean conditions with massive waves.
Rota is situated about 80 miles north of Guam, a location crucial for U.S. military operations in the Pacific. Andersen Air Force Base frequently hosts rotations of military bombers, and nearby U.S. Naval Base Guam is the homeport for several Navy submarines.
The island’s population exceeds 150,000, including more than 7,000 active military personnel.
As dawn broke on Monday, the U.S. military in Guam announced it had reached its highest level of storm readiness, preparing for potential hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.
People living in Saipan and Tinian, approximately 125 miles north of Rota, are preparing for the storm as it approaches. Those islands are expected to experience winds of at least 114 mph.
This recent storm follows closely on the heels of Super Typhoon Shinraku, which struck the Northern Mariana Islands in April as a Category 4 storm, bringing sustained winds of around 150 mph and gusts reaching 185 mph.
Shinraku resulted in over 20 inches of rain in some areas, leading to widespread flooding, lengthy power outages, and significant damage to homes and infrastructure on Saipan and Tinian. Many areas of these islands are still grappling with power restoration.
In contrast to Shinraku, which lingered over the islands and caused extended devastation, Babi is predicted to move through more swiftly, exiting the Mariana Islands by Monday afternoon at a speed of 13 to 16 miles per hour.
Tinian, historically significant as the launch point for B-29 bombers during World War II, also hosts North Field, which has been refurbished for use as a military base by the United States as it reallocates resources in the Pacific.
