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15 families get Red Cross aid
No classes today at MHS
Volunteers from the American Red Cross CNMI Chapter are assisting 15 families that were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Vongfong on Monday.
Meantime, the Public School System announced yesterday that Marianas High School will not open classes today, Oct. 8, due to a down power line on campus.
“PSS is trying to coordinate with [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.] to fix the power line before we reopen classes at MHS. PSS is concerned about student safety and the school will not open classes today,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan.
Emergency Services director Paul Camacho said the local chapter of the ARC is currently assisting 10 families on Saipan, four families on Tinian, and a family on Rota.
“The initial response is to provide families with cleanup kits and tarps to help them in the immediate term to clean up their homes from flooding and cover any damage to their roof to prevent leaking from rain. A more thorough client-case work will follow in the next few days to get a better assessment of the damage and to provide additional assistance,” he said in an email to Saipan Tribune.
He assured that their Disaster Action Team is prepared in the event of more calls for assistance.
“Over 10 volunteers CNMI-wide were involved in providing assistance to affected families. We anticipate more calls throughout the week and the Red Cross Disaster Action Team is on standby ready to respond,” added Camacho.
Typhoon Vongfong left 180 people on Saipan, 25 people on Tinian, and 22 people on Rota seeking refuge at emergency shelters on the three islands.
On Rota, three Bangladeshi nationals lost their home made of tin and wood when Typhoon Vongfong blew it away early Monday morning.
Initial assessment by the Inos administration shows no injuries and only minor property damage.
“The CNMI is very fortunate to have been spared by Typhoon Vongfong. It’s a miracle that only minimal damage occurred despite wind speeds of over 100 mph. The region is in an El Niño weather pattern and more storms are expected throughout the year and possibly into January next year. The residents of the CNMI are highly advised to do whatever is necessary to prepare their homes and property for the next wave of storms,” said Camacho in a statement on behalf of the Red Cross.
