Super Typhoon Bavi, the third Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026, has struck the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. The powerful storm made landfall with destructive winds and heavy rainfall, prompting emergency responses across the region.
Satellite imagery from NASA's Earth Observatory captured the storm's evolution as it intensified over the Pacific Ocean. The typhoon reached Category 5 strength, with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, before weakening slightly as it passed over the islands.
Forecast models indicate Bavi is now tracking westward toward Asia, where it could threaten coastal populations. Authorities in Guam and the Northern Marianas reported widespread power outages and structural damage, though no immediate casualties have been confirmed.
The storm is the latest in a series of intense typhoons this season, raising concerns about the role of warming ocean temperatures in cyclone intensification. Scientists note that Category 5 storms in the Pacific have become more frequent in recent years.
Local governments are assessing damage and coordinating relief efforts, while residents brace for potential secondary effects such as storm surge and landslides. The full extent of the impact remains unclear as communications begin to be restored.