One of the strongest super typhoons on the planet this year was striking the US Pacific Islands on Monday morning, the second massive storm to hit the territories since April.The center of Super Typhoon Bavi, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, was passing over Rota, an island of 2,000 people in the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm had maximum sustained winds over 180 mph, with winds expected to exceed 150 mph on Rota, according to the National Weather Service.The powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages.AdvertisementAdvertisementTorrential tropical rainfall was expected to produce significant flash flooding, with repeated bands of heavy rain continuing even after the eyewall passes.Life-threatening coastal flooding was also expected as powerful onshore winds drive storm surges onto coastlines, while enormous waves and dangerous surf make marine conditions extremely hazardous.Rota lies around 50 miles north of Guam, which is the site of some of the most important US military installations in the Pacific, including Andersen Air Force Base, that are seen as vital in any US conflict in the region.The Air Force rotates bombers including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s through Andersen to project power across the Pacific. US Naval Base Guam is also the homeport to five US Navy attack submarines.AdvertisementAdvertisementMore than 7,000 active-duty military personnel are based on Guam, which has a total population of more than 150,000 people.The US military on Guam posted on social …
