Typhoon Nangka approaching northern CNMI

As a category 3 typhoon approaches the northern CNMI, acting governor Ralph DLG Torres declared Typhoon Condition 3 on three of the Northern Islands yesterday.

Due to Typhoon Nangka, the said condition as raised in the islands of Agrihan, Alamagan, and Pagan. It was maintained through the 8pm update from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Under Typhoon Condition 3, winds of 74 miles per hour or more are possible within 48 hours as the condition was raised.

Residents of Agrihan, Alamagan, and Pagan were advised to maintain necessary precautionary measures for gusty winds, heavy rain showers, and possible flooding in low-lying areas associated with the approaching typhoon.

They were also reminded to secure all loose objects around that needs to be strapped down or removed and secured to prevent being picked up and propelled by the strong winds.

Moving toward NMI

According to the bulletin, the eye of Typhoon Nangka was located at 605 miles east-southeast of Alamagan or 565 miles east of Saipan and was still moving toward the Northern Mariana Islands.

The current forecast track takes the typhoon to the northern CNMI tomorrow evening.

It was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 miles per hour but is expected to turn toward the northwest last night with little change in forward speed.

As of yesterday, Typhoon Nangka’s maximum sustained winds were up to 125 miles per hour and was a strong category 3 typhoon.

Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 120 miles from the center.

Nangka is still expected to steadily intensify over the next few days.

Surf and small craft advisory

High surf advisory was also raised yesterday and is in effect until 6pm on tomorrow.

According to HSEM, the swell generated by distant Typhoons Chan-Hom and Nangka will produce hazardous surf along west and south facing reefs possibly spreading to east facing shores by tomorrow.

It said to expect hazardous surf at nine to 11 feet along west facings reefs and seven to nine feet along south facing reefs through today. It may spread to north and east facing reefs tonight or Thursday.

A small craft advisory is also in effect until 6pm tomorrow. It said that combined seas of 8 to 10 feet yesterday will build to nine to 11 feet today and 10 to 12 feet tonight which will produce hazardous conditions for operators of small craft.

The government advised the general public to avoid boating in these conditions.