As of 1:00 p.m. today, Governor Arnold I. Palacios, in consultation with the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS Guam) Weather Forecast Office (WFO), has upgraded the declaration for Rota to Typhoon Condition II and declared Tropical Storm Condition II for the islands of Saipan, and Tinian.
At the time of this release, Typhoon Mawar is intensifying and continuing to track toward the southern Marianas, and is anticipated to strengthen and bring typhoon-strength winds and rainfall to the Marianas in the next 48 hours. Current sustained winds are at 85 MPH.
The storm’s movement and strength, resource allocation, and personnel resources were discussed during this morning’s CNMI Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Team meeting. The CNMI MAC Team, composed of government agencies and other organizations including the American Red Cross, met earlier at 10:00 a.m. for a heavy weather briefing provided by the NWS.
Additional updates include:
Shelters Activated
Shelters have been activated and will be opened at 4:00 p.m. today, May 22, 2023. Residents who need shelter assistance are asked to use the shelters closest to their homes. 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.
- Marianas High School (Cafeteria)
- Koblerville Elementary School (Cafeteria)
- Kagman High School (Cafeteria)
- Tinian: Tinian Elementary School (Cafeteria)
- Rota: Sinapalo Office on Aging
- Rota: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School
For Saipan, the Office on Aging will be open to accommodate persons with disabilities and those with medical needs. Services under these categories include individuals who are wheelchair bound, who need oxygen, and for those with ailments that do not need to be admitted at the hospital.
For Tinian, the Tinian Aging Center is open only for persons with disabilities or the elderly. For individuals requiring medical attention, the Tinian Health Center is open.
For Rota, the Office on Aging in Sinapalo is the designated shelter for persons with disabilities and the elderly. For individuals requiring medical attention, the Rota Health Center is open.
Transportation to Shelters
Transport services to typhoon shelters for the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota can be accessed by contacting the following telephone numbers:
Saipan:
- EOC State Warning Point: (670) 237-8000 (Primary Number)
- Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA): One-Call/One-Click Transportation Information Resource Center: (670) 236-2682
Tinian:
- Public School System (PSS) Tinian Elementary School Tinian: (670) 783-8962 or (670) 433-9250 (Primary)
- Tinian Municipality Operations Center: (670) 433-1800 or (670) 433-1803 (Secondary)
Rota:
- Rota Mayor’s Office: (670) 532-9451/2 (Primary Number)
- Rota Mayor’s Office Deputy Incident Commander: (670) 286-6618 (Secondary Number)
PSS, NMC, NMTech, Private Schools
The CNMI Public School System has announced that its classes have been canceled on Monday 5/22 and Tuesday 5/23 until further notice. The continuation or cancellation of classes for other educational institutions will be announced by the respective institutions.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC)
Rota Health Center. Because of the declaration of Typhoon Condition II for Rota, Rota Health Center (RHC) will be CLOSED. Patients will be contacted to reschedule appointments that are affected by these closures.
The RHC Emergency Room on Rota remains OPEN despite weather conditions.
The CHCC will provide shelter for pregnant women who are at least 36 weeks pregnant or at risk for preterm labor during the typhoon. Please contact (670) 234-8950 for more information. Residents of Tinian and Rota can report to the Tinian and Rota Health Centers respectively.
Tropical Storm Conditions. CHCC clinics and outpatient services on Saipan and Tinian are operating regularly until conditions escalate to Typhoon Condition I or II:
- Children’s Clinic
- Dental Clinic
- Dialysis Center
- Family Care Clinic
- HIV/STD and TB Program
- Immunization Clinic
- Koblerville COVID-19 Community Center
- Mobile Clinic
- Oncology Center
- Outpatient Pharmacy
- Tinian Health Center
- WIC Clinic
- Women’s Clinic
Community Guidance Center:
- Transitional Living Center
- Suicide Prevention Program
- Wellness Clinic
- System of Care
- Treatment and Recovery Clinic
The CHCC recommends that all residents make sure they have enough of their prescription medications to last at least one week. This is especially important for people with diabetes, hypertension, or uncontrolled asthma. Store your medications in a waterproof container and take them with you to wherever you are sheltering from the storm.
Stay Informed
The Office of the Governor advises the community to keep a close watch on official updates relating to weather forecasts and stay informed on the latest statements and advisories which will be available through official channels (listed below) and media partners.
As mentioned, the storm’s movement, strength, and projected path is an evolving situation; the Office of the Governor and HSEM will be monitoring the movement of Mawar and continue to consult with the National Weather Service and other agencies. Updates will be announced when available and when appropriate.
For additional information, visit the following:
- CNMI EOC State Warning Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp/
- CNMI Office of the Governor Website: https://governor.gov.mp/
- CNMI Office of the Governor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmigovernor
- NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
- NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center Website: https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html
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