Rota needs help

House floor leader Glenn L. Maratita (R-Rota) is appealing for the community’s help as the people of the CNMI’s southernmost island look to get back on their feet after the devastating onslaught of Typhoon Mangkhut on Monday.

The Category 2 weather disturbance hammered Rota with strong winds that reached 139mph, while being drenched by eight to 10 inches of continuous rains last Monday. Mangkhut had minimal effect on the islands of Saipan and Tinian.

The House Ways and Means Committee has offered to help, with committee chair Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) saying that they would look at all available resources to find ways to assist the people of Rota.

Former CNMI residents based in the continental U.S. have also began mobilizing to respond to the immediate needs of Rota residents.

Maratita said he hasn’t received any information yet from Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig since the last he spoke to him was early Tuesday morning. “We talked to see if there were any injuries and to know the extent of the damage.”

“From what I heard, it was really devastating. Mostly down south, in the Songsong area. Utility poles and power lines were down, with the possible water contamination because of leaks. So, I’m also still waiting for the whole assessment.”

He is pleased that Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Gary Camacho, and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were already in Rota doing an assessment.

Maratita said that damage to property in residential areas were significant, with the affected families and persons currently staying in the designated shelter.

He then appealed for any help from the community. “Any kind of assistance from the general public will be accepted. Essential needs like food, clothing, and especially water, since water there is contaminated. Anything will be greatly appreciated and I’m expressing an advance thank you to all who would help the people of Rota.
 
Looking for resources

Demapan said they first need to know how much the local and federal governments would fork out before making their own contribution. “We would look at all available resources and find out what ways we can provide assistance.”

“It is also important for us to quantify what’s going to come out of the local government and from the federal [side], following the state of emergency declaration. It is also going to come down to us looking beyond the [CNMI fiscal year 2019] budget as well.”

Responding to a request from Torres, President Donald Trump declared the CNMI yesterday under a state of disaster emergency, freeing up federal funds to help the CNMI recover.

“If we want to have immediate resources, then we have to look at those that are available today. That’s something that we’re going to work with [Maratita], the [Rota] Legislative Delegation, the Rota Mayor’s Office, and the administration,” said Demapan.
 
Operation resumes

Torres has already issued a memorandum that all government offices on Saipan and Tinian would resume operations today, while Rota will remain close as the island tries to recover.

“Government offices on Rota will remain closed until further notice due to ongoing recovery and relief efforts, and to ensure that Rota residents can tend to their families, personal property, and [other] belongings.”

“While damage assessment for public and residential facilities will continue to be conducted on all three islands, we are allocating and prioritizing the necessary government resources for recovery efforts and mass care assistance on the island of Rota,” added Torres.

Torres, along with local and federal officials, flew to Rota yesterday aboard two Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to examine the extent of the damage.

“We, along with our federal and military partners, will continue to monitor emergency support functions on all three islands with a specific focus on the needs of our people on Rota,” he said.

Interim Education commissioner Glenn Muna also issued a school opening notice. “All CNMI public schools will resume classes [today] Sept. 12, with the exception of all Rota schools and Rota Head Start Center.”

Northern Marianas College interim president Frankie Eliptico also informed their students that schedule of classes resume today at the Saipan and Tinian campuses. “Following [Tuesday] morning’s ‘all-clear’ declaration by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, NMC offices on Saipan and Tinian will reopen and classes will resume as scheduled [today]. A separate announcement for NMC’s Rota campus will be made.”

PSS and NMC officials added that everyone should visit their respective social media pages for any further announcements and other updates.

The two First Hawaiian Bank branches—Gualo Rai and Oleai—on Saipan also opened at 10am yesterday while all Guam locations resumed operations at Tuesday noon.

United Airlines’ Corporate Communications also announced that they resumed their normal flight operations Tuesday except a cancelled flight (UA 196) from Guam to Narita. “United urges customers should check the latest status of their flights at united.com or by calling 1-800-8648331.”

State of emergency

President Trump has declared a state of emergency for the CNMI following a letter sent to the White House last Monday.

“I am pleased to announce that President Trump has approved my request for an emergency declaration for the [CNMI]. [The Federal Emergency Management Agency] is now authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health, and safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe on the three islands—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.”

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance, under Public Assistance Program at 75 percent federal funding.”

Torres also directed yesterday for all U.S. and CNMI flags be lowered to half-staff the entire day pursuant to Public Law 107-89, which states that Sept. 11 of every year is designated as Patriot Day.

He then issued the “all-clear” for the three islands yesterday afternoon.

The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management office also advised that a weather disturbance forming in the Marshall Islands and eastern Micronesia is “not expected to pose a threat to the Marianas.”

“Satellite imagery shows disorganized areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms from Pohnpei across Kosrae and Kwajalein to Majuro. The associated circulation is broad and weak, with an ill-defined center near Kwajalein. Maximum winds are only around 10mph,” said the HSEM advisory.
 
Guam Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Sector Guam is also helping in assessing the damage wrought by Mangkhut. Personnel from Sector Guam, Station Apra Harbor, and the Pacific Strike Force from Alameda in California have been assessing the port conditions of Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

“Reopening the Port of Guam is our top priority. We are currently conducting an on-water assessment with a crew aboard our 29-foot response boat from Station Apra Harbor, and have multiple teams that are making shoreside and facility assessments,” said Sector Guam commander Capt. Christopher Chase. “Once these assessments are completed and safe navigation is available to all traffic, we will reopen the ports.”

Guam Coast Guard is advising everyone that the waters in the surrounding Mariana group of islands remain dangerous despite Mankhut already passing the region. “We encourage everyone to stay out of the water until conditions return to normal.”