State of emergency declared for NMI

Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday declared a state of emergency in the CNMI, giving him special powers to expeditiously identify and mobilize resources necessary to maintain essential public services and to rehabilitate the affected islands after the onslaught of Typhoon Tingting.

Babauta also asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to jointly conduct with the CNMI government a preliminary damage assessment for the Commonwealth’s three major islands—Saipan, Tinian and Rota—as well as Agrihan and Pagan. The joint federal-state PDA would determine the types of disaster assistance the CNMI could avail of, as well as estimate the amount of damage caused by the typhoon.

“Preliminary reports indicate significant damage to critical infrastructure facilities providing essential services such as the utilities, roadways and the hospital. Many road washouts and water damage to facilities were caused by wind-driven rain and enormous rainfall that measured 8.4 inches during this period,” Babauta told FEMA’s acting regional director, Karen Armes.

“Significant costs were also incurred in mobilizing CNMI government response personnel on Saipan, Tinian and Rota to provide emergency protective measures in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from Typhoon Tingting,” he added.

The governor also noted the damage to agriculture and sewer systems.

Preliminary reports pointed to Saipan as the worst hit among the Northern Marianas’ islands, compared to Tinian and Rota. The typhoon roared through Saipan, leaving behind a trail of fallen trees, destroyed houses and structures, and impassable roads; several portions of the island remained flooded yesterday.

Personnel connected with the Department of Public Works and other volunteers could be seen cleaning up the debris that rendered a portion of Beach Road temporarily impassable to motorists. The Emergency Management Office advised motorists to take precaution while driving, especially at night.

Babauta designated Governor’s Authorized Representative Virginia C. Villagomez as the CNMI’s point of contact for FEMA and other federal agencies in connection with the disaster.

Babauta made the declaration pursuant to Article II, Section 10 of the CNMI Constitution, which states: “The governor may declare a state of emergency in the case of invasion, civil disturbance, natural disaster, or other calamity, as provided by law, and may mobilize available resources to respond to that emergency.”

The governor briefed the media about his declaration at the EMO’s conference room yesterday afternoon, in the presence Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and some Cabinet members, including Villagomez, EMO director Rudolfo Pua and deputy director Mark Pangelinan, and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta.

Commonwealth Utilities Corp. officials also joined the government panel in the press briefing to discuss the power situation on the islands.

‘ALL CLEAR’

Babauta declared an “all clear” situation in the CNMI as Tingting moved north-northwest at a slower pace of 9mph.

As of 1pm yesterday, the EMO said Tingting had 90mph-strong winds gusting to 115mph, and is expected to intensify further. Once wind strength reaches 150mph, the weather disturbance will become a supertyphoon.

The EMO located Tingting about 160 miles west of Agrihan and 185 miles northwest of Pagan at this time, threatening to pass over Agrihan in the Northern Islands. The EMO cited weather predictions, though, that the typhoon’s forward movement would tilt to the north later in the afternoon.

Babauta initially maintained his typhoon condition III declaration for Agrihan, which meant that typhoon conditions could be felt on the island within 48 hours. This decision came out even when the governor cleared Pagan of any typhoon condition declaration at 2pm yesterday.

Early last night, however, the governor also declared an “all clear” situation for Agrihan, as the typhoon moved away from the island.

NO NEWS ON VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Tingting also crippled the seismic station jointly installed by the EMO and the U.S. Geological Survey on Pagan Island. The equipment was intended to continuously monitor volcanic activity on the island.

EMO’s Juan Takai Camacho said neither of the two seismic stations installed on the island remains functional.

“A tropical storm passing over Anatahan knocked out the last remaining seismic station on the island. Since that time, we have been unable to monitor the ongoing eruption,” said the EMO and the USGS in a joint report.

“There will be no further updates until we receive new information. We are currently making plans to attempt to rectify this situation,” the agencies said.

The EMO, however, continued advising aircraft to refrain from the vicinity and stressed that Babauta’s off-limits declaration for the island remains.

It said that conditions could change rapidly and without notice, even if Anatahan’s erupting volcano is not considered dangerous yet to aircraft flying the CNMI airspace.

“Aircraft should pass upwind of Anatahan or farther than 30 km downwind from the island and exercise due caution within 30-50 km of Anatahan,” the EMO said.

PARTIAL POWER RESTORATION

The CUC board’s vice chairman, Frank Guerrero, said yesterday that Saipan’s power has been “75 percent restored.”

“The crews are now out working,” according to Guerrero, who said CUC has been working 24 hours daily to fully restore utility services.

The CUC has yet to restore power in several areas that include Chalan Kiya, San Jose, Dandan, Finasisu, San Vicente, As Lito, Koblerville, San Antonio, Afetnas, and portions of Papago, Susupe and Chalan Kanoa.

Guerrero said full power restoration on Saipan could be completed within a week. Tinian and Rota did not have power interruptions, he said.

Meanwhile, CUC executive director Lorraine Babauta added that the utility firm has addressed the sewage overflow in Tanapag, saying the lift station has resumed functioning.

The CUC said it has controlled the sewage overflow in San Antonio and has activated a new lift station that would pump wastewater to the Agingan Point treatment plant. The old plant malfunctioned and was covered by sand.

CENTRALIZED SHELTER

EMO’s Pua said only one house in Tanapag was reported damaged. He said the regular evacuation centers were closed, while the Marianas High School was opened as centralized shelter for those who would need to evacuate their homes from different parts of the Saipan.

Pua said only some 16 people were at the MHS yesterday, down from at least 197 that trooped to different public-school-turned-evacuation centers at the height of the storm.

He added, however, that “there are people coming in; that’s why we centralized the shelters.”

The EMO advised those seeking shelter to register and look for Jose Borja at the MHS’ administration office. Those who need transportation assistance may call 664-3800, 3801 and 3802.