Overview
- On Monday, July 6, 2026, Bavi made direct landfall on Rota with sustained winds near 290 km/h and gusts up to 350 km/h, according to the U.S. National Weather Service and the JTWC.
- About 1,500 residents on Rota sheltered as the storm tore roofs off homes, caused flooding, and left communications and power networks damaged with no full casualty count yet available.
- Guam, Tinian and Saipán also recorded storm damage including uprooted trees, downed power poles, blocked roads and at least one overturned vehicle, and relief supplies are being staged from Guam.
- The NWS warned that many areas of Rota could be uninhabitable for weeks and that power outages may last weeks to months, prompting priority efforts to restore phone service and deliver generators and water.
- Scientists and agencies point to a stronger El Niño and record-warm ocean temperatures as factors that can fuel more intense storms, which raises recovery needs and risks for U.S. logistical and military hubs in the Marianas.