Super Typhoon Bavi hit the U.S. territorial island of Rota near Guam on Monday. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Northern Mariana Islands.

The National Weather Service reported that the eye of the storm passed over Rota with winds exceeding 150 mph. The typhoon moved west toward the Philippines at 9 mph.

Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, indicated that conditions were beginning to improve, although slowly.

The storm affected not only Rota but also other parts of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, which were still recovering from a cyclone in April. Saipan’s international airport recorded wind gusts over 100 mph. Many residents of Saipan and nearby Tinian were without power due to damage from Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Bavi, classified as a Category 5 super typhoon, had the potential to reach winds of 180 mph with gusts up to 215 mph. Northern Mariana Islands, including Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, were under typhoon and flash flood warnings. Other nearby islands faced tropical storm warnings and watches. The storm was expected to deliver at least 20 inches of rain as it moved through the area.

Super typhoons have sustained winds of at least 150 mph, comparable to high-end Category 4 or Category 5 hurricanes.

Edwin Montvila, another meteorologist with the weather service, warned of imminent danger to life, advising residents to shelter in interior rooms and avoid windows. High winds posed threats from flying debris and downed power lines.

Bavi moved more rapidly than the previous cyclone, Sinlaku, but the large size of the storm meant tropical storm conditions like heavy rain could linger into Monday night.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam urged residents to stay indoors or take shelter, emphasizing the region’s readiness and preparation for such events.

The Rev. Francis Hezel of Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Guam described hearing howling winds, expressing hope that widespread damage would be minimal due to the prevalence of concrete homes.