The Northern Marianas braces for impact as Bolaven is set to go through the Marianas. We spoke with authorities this morning on what you need to know to prepare.
"We talked about those wiggles. This is what we were talking about. So we're seeing that continue that is not necessarily good news for folks in Tinian and Saipan. This means that 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," the National Weather Service on Guam said during a Facebook Live update Monday morning.
A Category 1 Typhoon means sustained winds range between 74-95 mph and a Category 2 would bring sustained winds of 96-110 mph.
This afternoon, Governor Arnold Palacios declared Typhoon Condition 2 for Saipan and Tinian and Typhoon Condition 3 for Rota. Damaging winds are expected within 24 hours on Saipan and Tinian while Rota faces the possibility of damaging winds within 48 hours.
President Joe Biden also approved the CNMI’s emergency declaration, expanding FEMA’s capabilities.
"Right now, you should be preparing your home. That's the very most important thing that I think our emergency management and the Red Cross want to emphasize, that you need to be getting the food supply, getting your water supply, making sure all your vehicles and generators are topped off with fuel, making sure that all the, you know, loose debris around your home is cleared." CNMI American Red Cross CNMI director John Hirsch told KUAM.
"This is a serious storm. The thing that the weather service like the term they like to use right now is rapid intensification and that makes everybody nervous. So as the storm gets 12 to 24 hours away, anything could happen. It could just spin up and it could become a very, very destructive storm. So we really encourage everybody in the community to prepare," he added.
The Red Cross says it has already deployed 6 generators to shelters on Saipan. Their team of volunteers is ready to support any recovery efforts on Rota and Tinian after the storm.
CNMI Commissioner of Education Donna Flores said, "So we're all preparing now, securing our buildings and campuses and our primary shelters are all being prepped and will be inspected prior to opening once we receive the official notice from the governor…we will issue our official memo, closing schools, opening shelters and, you know, just advising the parents and the community about, you know, safety precautions."
Those shelters will open Monday at 6 p.m. Residents are expected to bring their own bedding, food, and drinks in the shelter. No pets are permitted in the shelter unless the pet is a certified service animal. An ID should be presented upon entry. The shelters are: at the Marianas High School (Cafeteria) 2. Koblerville Elementary School (Cafeteria) 3. Kagman High School (Cafeteria) 4. Tinian: Tinian Elementary School (Cafeteria) 5. Rota: Sinapalo Office on Aging. For Saipan, the Office on Aging will also be open to accommodate persons with disabilities and those with medical needs. Transportation to the shelters is also available. The CNMI hospital will provide shelter for pregnant women who are at least 36 weeks pregnant or at risk for preterm labor during the typhoon.
FEMA External Affairs Officer Craig Browning said, "If the immediate needs of survivors post-storm supersede that of the of the local government here FEMA is postured. Our distribution center in Guam is prepared with, you know, life saving life sustaining measures food water, you know, tents, cots, and things of that nature. So we are postured and ready to support there as well."
Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog told KUAM: “We are ensuring that all safety and sanitary measures are in place in case Rota needs to respond to ensure the well-being of our people.”
Just before news of the typhoon, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation approved emergency procurement for Rota power generation as the island currently has no backup power.
Residents further north are also preparing. Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisacan said, “I’ve been in constant communication with the residents of Agrigan since last week in preparation for the storm…Although the track of the storm is still uncertain, I advised them to remain in contact with CNMI Emergency Operations Center.”
KUAM has reached out to the Mayor of Tinian Edwin Aldan for comment.
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