A super typhoon is approaching US territories on Saturday — the second such storm since April — as residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands brace for winds equivalent in force to a Category 5 hurricane.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Typhoon Bavi is located hundreds of kilometres east of the archipelago, accompanied by winds of 269 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 324 kilometres per hour.
The US National Weather Service warned that current forecasts "paint a grim picture for the Mariana Islands," calling on residents of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to prepare for tropical storm conditions.
In recent days, the islands' approximately 200,000 residents have flocked to petrol stations, hardware stores, and supermarkets to stock up on food, water, and other basic necessities.
The Office of the Governor of Guam announced that the island would enter "Condition of Readiness 2" from 10:00 p.m., meaning the typhoon is expected to arrive within 24 hours, with emergency shelters opening from 7:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Residents were asked to bring enough food and water for seven days for each family member, along with medications, bedding, and personal hygiene supplies, and were advised not to bring pets.