Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota
Governor Torres declared Tropical Storm Condition I for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota
All government offices closed through Friday, September 24, 2021
PSS and NMC cancel classes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota
Shelters activated on Saipan and Tinian
The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam for Tropical Depression 20W.
As of 4:00 p.m., the system was located about 75 miles south-southwest of Rota, 140 miles south-southwest of Tinian, and 155 miles south-southwest of Saipan. It is moving west-northwest at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
A small craft advisory and a flash flood watch remain in effect from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon as heavy rainfall continues for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Due to the ongoing threat of Tropical Depression 20W, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres declares Tropical Storm Condition I for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as of 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. Tropical Storm Condition I means that damaging winds of 39 to 74 mph are possible within 12 hours.
All government offices closed through Friday, September 24, 2021
Due to the current vulnerability of the CNMI as it continues to recover from Super Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Mangkhut, all CNMI Government offices were closed at 12:00 noon for the rest of Thursday, September 23, 2021 and through Friday, September 24, 2021.
PSS and NMC cancel classes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota
The CNMI Public School System (PSS) and the Northern Marianas College (NMC) cancelled classes and closed offices at 12:00 noon for the rest of Thursday, September 23, 2021 and through Friday, September 24, 2021.
Shelters activated on Saipan and Tinian
Governor Torres, the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the CNMI Public School System (PSS), have activated the following locations as shelters on Saipan and Tinian effective 4:00 p.m. today:
· Marianas High School
· Kagman High School
· Tinian Elementary School
There are currently no shelters in place for the island of Rota; however, emergency managers on the island are currently monitoring the situation with shelters on standby.
Residents on Saipan and Tinian in tents are advised to go to the closest shelter to them for care, support, and relief during the rainy conditions.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) is activated to provide transportation to the shelters throughout the day. Residents can call (670) 664-2690 for transportation to designated shelters.
In compliance with current CNMI COVID-19 protocols and to ensure the safety and health of all residents seeking shelter, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation will be conducting temperature checks and COVID-19 vaccination verifications prior to residents entering shelters. Vaccinated individuals seeking shelter must bring their COVID-19 vaccination cards (CDC vaccine card) for vaccination verification.
For more information, please visit the following:
- CNMI EOC State Warning Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp/
- CNMI Office of the Governor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovernorCNMI
- Governor Ralph DLG. Torres Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ralphdlg.torres/
- NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
- NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
