COMMUNITY BRIEFS – January 4, 2022

5.0-magnitude quake in Guam

At 8:49am on Jan. 3, 2022, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake occurred 48 kilometers north northeast of Yigo Village, Guam. Currently, there are no tsunami warnings or advisories issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 670-237-8000. (PR)

Vendors sought for Precinct 5 swap meet

Precinct 5 is hosting a weekend swap meet on Jan. 22, 2022, at the Kagman Community Center basketball court and is soliciting vendors who may want to participate.

This is an outdoor event for the Precinct 5 community to clear out the old to make way for the new year.  This event is created to host a “multi-family” swap-meet style event  This event will focus on recruiting Precinct 5 vendors, but will be open to all buyers in the CNMI community.

This is a one day event to allow for registered participants to sell and/or trade their secondhand housewares and gently-used clothing and accessories.

To register to be a vendor at the Precinct 5 swap meet, go to https://bit.ly/P5Thrift. Vendors from Precinct 5 will be prioritized.  Interested vendors are encouraged to submit the form (https://bit.ly/P5Thrift) by Jan. 7, 2022, to confirm your participation in this event. Thank you for your time and support in making these kinds of activities available to the Precinct 5 community. (PR)

Power service interruption today

There will be a scheduled power service interruption today, Jan. 4, 2022, from 9am to 1pm, affecting Kiya 4 of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in Chalan Kanoa (Juan Nong St., Hamalap Ln., San Isidro Av. and Sandy Beach Homes). Businesses that will be affected include the Armatech Office, SPG Corp., Pepoy’s Restaurant, and Surf Club Saipan Restaurant.

Purpose: To replace a 400-foot concrete pole with a 45-foot concrete pole along Hemlap Ln. in Chalan Kanoa, due to low primary lines and for the safety of the community.

• Water well(s) affected: None
• Wastewater facility affected: A-4 Lift Station

For more information, contact the CUC Customer Hotline (236-4333) or monitor our Facebook page for the latest updates (https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthUtilitiesCorporation/). (PR)

Public warned: Rough seas until today

A high surf advisory is in effect until 6am today, Tuesday, along north facing reefs of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. There is also a high rip current risk until 6am today along north and east facing reefs of the three islands. A small craft advisory is also in effect until 6am today.

Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Guam and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, large breaking waves of 7 to 9 feet along north facing reefs to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone. For the high rip current risk, dangerous rip currents are expected. The high surf will be present along north facing reefs of the Marianas, while the high rip risk will be along north and east facing reefs.

These conditions will create dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

These hazards may continue into Wednesday. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

The public is being advised to stay out of the water along north and east facing shores. Elsewhere, swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Also, northeast winds of 15 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots and seas of 7 to 9 feet will be present in Tinian, Rota, and Saipan coastal waters. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. The hazardous conditions may extend into Wednesday. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these hazardous conditions. (Saipan Tribune)