Tropical storm Bolaven intensifies as it heads towards the Northern Marianas with forecasting predicting it will develop into a typhoon overnight. Monday 9 October 2023 Photo: NOAA Satellite Imagery
Tropical storm Bolaven is predicted to turn into a typhoon and hit the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) tomorrow.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Guam, meaning winds between 63 and 117kmh are expected within the next 24 hours.
A typhoon watch remains in place for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
The latest update as of 3pm on Monday New Zealand time said maximum sustained winds were surpassing 90kmh.
The US National Weather Service Guam is predicting tropical storm Bolaven will turn into a typhoon before reaching the CNMI.
Senior meteorologist Paul Stanko said the storm was predicted to be felt worst overnight on Tuesday local time and diminish in strength during the day on Wednesday.
"It will be about 80 or 90 miles per hour, that's strong enough to do some real damage to weaker structures, reinforced concrete is not going to be a big deal," Stanko said.
Meteorologist Landon Aydlett, from the same weather service, said the typhoon was moving north and intensifying.
"As currently forecast Tinian and Saipan could take a direct hit by either a category one or a category two typhoon at the time of passage," he said.
Guam Power Authority clearing trees and from powerlines after Typhoon Mawar in May 2023. Photo: Guam Power Authority
Concerns over debris leftover from Mawar
Typhoon Mawar made landfall on Guam in May bringing sustained winds of 225kmh.
Stanko said a lot of debris remained and the storm could still hit Guam.
"We've been a little worried if Bolaven happened to hit us directly.
"You've already got all those ready-made flying little missiles for it to use to pummel everything."
RNZ Pacific's CNMI correspondent, Mark Rabago from Saipan, said everyone was busy preparing for the storm.
"People have been going to the stores to buy supplies, batteries for their flashlights, withdrawing money, cashing their cards all that stuff just to prepare."
In 2015 typhoon Soudelor and in 2018 typhoon Yutu wreaked havoc in the CNMI.
Rabago said past typhoons had left a "generational mark" on the people.
"We had to drink rain water, we had to line up for three to four hours just to get gas, we had a limit of groceries… everything was controlled."