With utility poles toppled, buildings destroyed and water service cut off, the tiny Western Pacific island that took a direct hit from Super Typhoon Bavi earlier this week faces a long recovery.
The eye of the Category 5 storm encircled the 33-square-mile island of Rota in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Work can’t begin until crews and materials arrive from other islands. The airport and seaport on the island both sustained damage from 180-mph winds, and neither are cleared to resume normal operations.
“Water is our main concern, as we are running out, and the lines at the refilling station can go up to maybe even as far as six hours,” said. Donald Manglona, a senator from Rota in the Commonwealth legislature. “Even that we are getting low on.”
Manglona said some of the equipment needed to begin restoration was sent to neighboring islands following the passage of Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April.
“We do have some materials on island, but not enough,” Manglona said.
Manglona estimated between 30% and 50% of the utility poles on the island were blown down in the storm, and there was “huge destruction to many of the homes, whether it be minor damages all the way up to destroyed homes.”
The mayor’s office estimates two to three months before full power is restored to the island’s 1,900 residents, largely due to limited availability of poles, transformers, and other critical parts.
Rota International Airport sustained structural damage and is currently open only for humanitarian and recovery flights. Commercial operations remain suspended until Federal Aviation Administration‑required repairs are completed.
The island’s main seaport is temporarily closed pending military and FEMA inspection. However, the mayor has authority to open a secondary port for small vessels once weather conditions improve.
Manglona said several organizations have reached out to assist, including World Central Kitchen, which is providing meals through a contracted local vendor, and the American Red Cross, which is working to secure flights to the island. FEMA personnel and volunteers have already started arriving.
Rota is 56 miles north of Guam, another U.S. territory in the Western Pacific.
