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Govt offices, PSS classes not cancelled yet
BREAKING NEWS: CNMI placed on Typhoon Condition III
Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have been placed on Typhoon Condition III as Tropical Storm Mangkhut approaches the CNMI. It means destructive winds of 74 mph or more are possible within the next 48 hours.
The Office of the Governor also announced that Gov. Ralph DLG Torres hasn’t made an official decision yet whether to close government offices on Monday and Tuesday.
The CNMI Public School System has also not made an official announcement whether to cancel classes on Monday and Tuesday.
As of 11pm last night, the center of Tropical Storm Mangkhut was located near 14.7 degrees North Latitude and 158.8 degrees East Longitude placing the center of Tropical Storm Mangkhut about 870 miles East of Saipan; about 880 miles East of Tinian; about 910 miles East of Rota and about 945 miles East of Guam.
Tropical Storm Mangkhut is moving west-northwest at 18 MPH, and is expected to move on a westerly course bringing Mangkhut into the Mariana Islands as a typhoon Monday night or Tuesday morning.
As Tropical Storm Mangkhut moves closer, the threat for sustained high winds is likely to increase. The latest forecast is for typhoon-force winds from late Tuesday morning to early Tuesday evening. Tropical Storm force winds are currently forecast to begin affecting the area early Tuesday morning.
The CNMI Office of the Governor, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will continue to work in close coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office to provide the latest weather updates to the community.
Stay tuned to the CNMI Office of the Governor and/or CNMI EOC State Warning Point FaceBook pages for the latest updates on partner agencies and official government operational statuses.
More information will be gathered from the Public School System, our private school partners and the Northern Marianas College on whether or not classes will be cancelled on Monday.
For more information regarding weather conditions, please contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 237-8000.
Leaning forward
HSEM has deployed a team of key first responders and assets to the island of Rota including CUC linemen, DFEMS personnel and HSEM emergency managers to provide support as needed.
A bucket truck as well as several other equipment and tools necessary to begin storm preparations have been pre-positioned on the island of Rota by HSEM through coordination with its key local partners.
Support and coordination have been extended to the CNMI from both its Federal and Military partners from the Mainland and the island of Guam in anticipation of weather conditions worsening over the next 48 hours.
Prepare to prepare
At this time, HSEM is urging the community to take precautionary actions as typhoon-strength conditions are expected to intensify. These should be done as early as possible.
Indoor preparations
– Make sure family members know where the emergency preparedness kits are; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc.
– Make lighting supplies easily accessible
– Roll up carpets away from doors and windows
– Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach
– Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a sealed ziploc bag
– Cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
– Listen to the radio and have extra batteries to stay up-to-date with the latest weather information
Outdoor preparations
– Remove and put away tarp or tents that may cause wooden or metal structures to become airborne
– Secure your home – utilize shutters or completely board up your windows
– Make sure gas valves are shut off once the storm approaches
– Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives
– Clear vegetation
– Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items as these have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property
– Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather permits
– Collect water in a 55-gallon drum or plastic containers
Stay informed
To stay informed, HSEM urges the community to follow the following social media platforms to get the latest weather updates and information:
– CNMI EOC State Warning Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp/
– CNMI Office of the Governor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNMIGov/
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– Governor Ralph DLG. Torres Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ralphdlg.torres/
– CNMI Joint Information Center: https://www.facebook.com/JICNMI/
– NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
– NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/ (PR)
