CNMI maintains Typhoon Condition III, prepares shelters; PSS cancels classes

Governor Arnold Palacios maintained Typhoon Condition III for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. This means that damaging winds are possible within two days.

The CNMI governor's office says that shelters will be activated when Typhoon Condition II is declared, which they expect will be in the next 24 hours. If Typhoon Condition II is declared, the following locations will serve as shelters: Marianas High School (Cafeteria), Koblerville Elementary School (Cafeteria), Kagman High School (Cafeteria), Tinian: Tinian Elementary School (Cafeteria), and Rota: Office on Aging.

The CNMI governor's office says that "if and when Typhoon Condition II is declared, COTA will be activated to provide transportation to the shelters. Residents can call the EOC State Warning Point at (670) 237-8000 for transportation to designated shelters."

 

 Meanwhile, according to the CNMI Public School System, "all PSS classes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, including Head Start/Early Head Start and Early Intervention programs, are canceled tomorrow, Monday, May 22, 2023 and Tuesday, May 23, 2023 until further notice."

 

Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog sent the following statement in response to KUAM: 'We have gotten organized already in terms of planning and getting things ready to assist the community. The shelters are in place, transportation with shift schedule and drivers in place. The command center has been organized with inventory list to identify needs as we move forward. We are still waiting on the generator for the hospital but Governor Palacios and Homeland Security Director have been very helpful. We have been in communication since yesterday in regards to how we will be ready to assist our people. Governor Palacios has been very concerned for our island and expressed his desire to help with whatever resources we will need. Our command team are on standby and will await further updates from the Governors Office or Homeland security. We encourage our people to best prepare themselves by securing their items around their homes, stocking up on needed food and necessities, water, fuel, etc. and to standby for further official updates."

Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan released the following statement in response to KUAM: "...The Municipality has been preparing for this typhoon. We have staged our equipments, emergency vehicles and shelters in place facility on stand by."