Typhoon wreaks havoc

Tropical storm Tingting pounded Saipan yesterday, with about 70mph winds and record-breaking rainfall that knocked down trees, flooded roads, caused power outages, and forced 197 people to temporarily take refuge in evacuation centers.

Tingting’s eye went as close as 45 miles northeast of Saipan about 9am yesterday. As it moved northwest to Agrihan and Pagan in the Northern Islands, Tingting’s howling winds could still be felt on Saipan.

As of 1pm yesterday, the National Weather Service located Tingting about 100 miles north-northeast of Saipan, 110 miles north-northeast of Tinian and 175 miles north-northeast of Rota. The Emergency Management Office said Tingting, which had already intensified to typhoon at this time, was moving northwest at 9mph and was about 160 miles south of Agrihan and 120 miles south of Pagan.

With wind strength of 75mph gusting up to 90mph, Tingting threatened a possible direct hit on Agrihan and Pagan, with weather forecasters predicting that the typhoon’s movement would tilt north-northwesterly, the EMO said.

At 2:30pm, Gov. Juan N. Babauta upgraded his typhoon condition declaration for the CNMI’s three major islands, Agrihan and Pagan to Condition I, which meant that typhoon conditions would be felt within the next 12 hours.

EMO deputy director Mark Pangelinan said the NWS has been getting data on Tingting’s rainfall. A preliminary NWS report recorded rainfall at 3.40 inches at the Saipan International Airport from midnight to 2pm yesterday—considered one of the heaviest in the last five years.

“I think this one is very heavy, [when compared] even to [rainfall in] the last five years that I can recall,” the EMO deputy director said.

The typhoon resulted in massive flooding on several portions of Saipan, including a long stretch of Beach Road. Pangelinan also reported flooding in some areas in Tanapag, Afetnas and Lower Base.

Early last night, some Beach Road residents expressed fear about the worsening flood. Fearing that the nearby beaches would overflow and exacerbate the situation, they planned on seeking assistance for possible evacuation.

While the winds caused trees to fall and block roadways, Pangelinan said there was no report of damaged houses as of press time. The intensity of the wind, however, was enough to shake cars.

At least 197 people—including 91 children—took refuge at six evacuation centers. Eighty-four of the evacuees took shelter at the Garapan Elementary School, while 57 individuals stayed at the Kobler Elementary School. The other evacuees went to five other schools for evacuation: Tanapag, San Vicente, Dandan and Oleai elementary schools and Kagman High School.

Garapan Elementary School shelter manager William Lieto said the evacuees started coming to the school Sunday afternoon. Around 8:30am yesterday, the number of evacuees grew to 74.

Alice, 45, said she left the family residence in Chalan Laulau together with 19 others. “We came at 8pm last [Saturday] night. Our house is not typhoon-proof. We need a good shelter,” she said, adding that rainwater began seeping into the house since Saturday.

“This typhoon caught us before the month ends. We have to bring all of our supplies from the house,” said Alice.

She and her family spent the night inside a classroom dimly lit with two candles, while they took breakfast that was cooked and prepared at the place. The youngest member of the family at the shelter is three years old.

Another Chalan Laulau resident, Saturnino Nekaifes, went with his family of six to GES for shelter. He said he brought along needed supplies, including candles. Shortly later, however, GES regained power supply.

The Saipan Tribune experienced the danger in driving on the road amid yesterday’s weather condition, when a big branch suddenly fell from a swaying tree on the way to Capitol Hill, almost hitting the car hood. To avoid being hit, this reporter had to swerve to the opposite lane, where there was fortunately no approaching vehicle. By noontime, the winds remained strong enough to blow leaves into the air as if they were feathers, even as Tingting was moving farther from Saipan.

Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s Larry Guerrero said power outages interrupted with the sewer system’s pump station in Tanapag, causing sewage overflow.

As of press time, Guerrero said power has yet to be restored in Capitol Hill, Kagman, As Teo, Sadog Tasi, Papago, Chalan Kiya, Chalan Kanoa and Susupe. A power transformer exploded near the judicial courthouse in Susupe, he said. Guerrero said falling trees affected the CUC’s power lines.

Pangelinan also said nine schools on Saipan were designated as emergency shelters. He said Public School System buses would bring evacuees who have no means of transportation to evacuation shelters. He said those who might need transportation service could call the EMO at 322-8001 to 3, or the shelter nearest to them.

The designated shelters, their respective managers and telephone numbers are as follows:

* Tanapag Elementary School, Lucia Lieto, 664-3425;
* Garapan Elementary School, William Lieto, 664-3400;
* Oleai Elementary School, Edward Suzuki, 664-3942;
* Marianas High School, Joseph Borja, 664-3874;
* San Vicente Elementary School, Mary Brown, 664-3981;
* William S. Reyes Elementary School, Estanislao Limes, 664-3971;
* Kobler Elementary School, Joe Etpison, 664-3961;
* Dandan Elementary School, John Quitugua, 664-5025;
* Kagman High School, James Lizama, 664-3780.

The EMO advised potential evacuees to bring with them their personal supplies, such as food, water, pillows, blankets and medicine.