Tropical storm Chan-Hom to move away from CNMI

An all-clear condition for Rota is expected today as Tropical Storm Chan-Hom is forecasted to move away from the CNMI after its erratic movements during the weekend.

All warnings and conditions were lowered for Saipan and Tinian as early as yesterday afternoon after being raised up to Typhoon Condition 1.

Despite the all clear, gusts of wind and rain were still experienced through the night.

“Even though this is an all clear, there is still an advice for people to be vigilant,” Press Secretary Ivan Blanco said.

“We’re looking at 30 to 40 miles per hour wind for Saipan and Tinian throughout the night,” CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management deputy special assistant Gerald Deleon Guerrero said.

The center of the storm was passing by near Rota last night and was heading north. Chan-hom was expected to turn toward the northwest and head away from the CNMI.

Gusty winds and heavy rains will taper off by early morning today, the weather statement said.

Deleon Guerrero said that forecasters of the National Weather Station in Guam found it hard to track Chan-Hom because of its erratic movement.

Luckily, there were no reports of damage, casualties, or even power and water outages because of the storm.

Around 66 individuals sought refuge in the emergency shelters that were opened Saturday afternoon, but as of last night, only the shelter on Rota was still open.

Well-supplied

The Joeten Supermarket in Garapan saw an increase in its customers over the weekend because of the storm.

“Since Friday, customers have been coming in to prepare for the storm and we saw increase in customers,” manager George Moses said.

He said goods are still well supplied except for fruits and vegetables as shipments were delayed because of the storm.

“We are well-supplied, we have so much back up and that’s good for the customers. We have no shortage other than fruits and vegetables. We have a delay in our containers,” Moses said.

“What I heard is that the Coast Guard closed the port of Guam and Saipan in anticipation of the storm and that caused the delay of our fruits and vegetables,” he added.

For 99 Cents in Middle Road and Twins Supermarket in Dandan, no significant increase on customers was noted during the weekend. Their supplies were also well stocked.

“We have enough for until next week,” Arlene Relator, employee of 99 Cents said.

Affected flights

A number of flights were affected by Tropical Storm Chan-Hom during the weekend.

Last Saturday, Cape Air announced that due to inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Chan-Hom, a majority of Cape Air flights, scheduled to depart from and arrive at the Guam International Airport yesterday have been cancelled. These are flights UA5069, UA5070, UA5071, UA5068, UA5039, and UA5077.

“While subject to change pending weather conditions, Cape Air expects to resume normal operations after 7pm on Sunday, with flight UA5077 departing Guam for Saipan at 7:15 pm,” their statement said.

For United Airlines, changes for flights to Tokyo and Cairns on Saturday were announced as early as Friday. Flight UA196, Guam to Tokyo/Narita operated as UA2061 while Flight UA94, Guam to Cairns, will operate as UA2059.

United urged customers to check the latest status of their flights at united.com or by calling United Reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).

American Memorial Park closure

The American Memorial Park Visitor Center and Micro Beach facilities were closed last Saturday.

“All events and programs are suspended through the closure. Park facilities will resume normal operations when weather and facility conditions make it safe to do so. Notification will be made when normal operations resume,” their announcement said.

New cyclone

After Tropical Storm Chan-Hom, another disturbance, Tropical Storm Nangka, is being monitored. However, it is still too early to be certain of its track.

According to Deleon Guerrero, its current track showed the storm to move between Pagan and Agrian islands in the north on Wednesday or Thursday.

“Let’s just hope and pray that it doesn’t change course and go south again,” Deleon Guerrero said.

He added that they will be releasing updates with the new storm as its track becomes clear and reminded the public to remain prepared as storms are always associated with rains.