Flood closes San Vicente school

Heavy rainfall and flood took their toll on the San Vicente Elementary School yesterday, forcing school principal Janet Villagomez to cancel classes for today.

According to Villagomez, 29 of the school’s classrooms experienced leaks from the roof or flooding due to the excess runoff from higher grounds.

The school’s office also experienced major flooding, with the water level reportedly reaching almost a foot high. Even as the rain and flood calmed down, Villagomez walked into her office with about two to three inches of water remaining.

“It was just so bad. We even had to turn the electricity off for safety. The classrooms were flooded and now we have a lot of cleaning to do,” she said.

During the flood, students were escorted to the school bus stop located on higher ground.

Villagomez announced that all students are not to report to school today. She said, though, that teachers and staff must report for cleanup.

Villagomez said that several school supplies and books were damaged; however, the extent and cost have yet to be determined.

There were no injuries.

Oleai Elementary School also experienced several leaks but school principal Celina Romolor-Route said that there were no major effects.

“The leaks are currently being addressed,” she said. “A staff of the [Public School System Capital Improvement Project] was here to assess it, but I will also conduct my own assessment.”

Kagman Elementary School, for its part, did not sustain any damage.

Meanwhile, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela announced Wednesday morning that the Mayor’s Office would continue with the road cleanup due to the heavy rainfall.

Tudela said the mayor’s office would continue to help in clearing up any damage in the San Antonio, Garapan, San Vicente, and the Chalan Kiya golf course area.

“My people and I went down to those areas so that people there can have access [to move their cars] and now it’s almost done,” said Tudela.

The Mayor’s Office has been working to clear out the roads that were filled with corals and rocks brought by the floods.

“Some of [the people] called and said that they cannot get out of their car, so we had to remove those rocks. Now that the flooding is back we have to go back again [and help],” said Tudela. (with Cassie Fejeran)