Widespread flooding hits Saipan

Monsoon rains that have been pouring since Wednesday dumped several inches of water on the islands, causing floods that stranded many motorists on Saipan, widespread erosion of soil and rocks that clogged drainages, and a small landslide in Koblerville. There have been no reports of injuries or casualties as of press time. It is predicted that the rains will continue through the weekend.

Emergency Management Office director Rudolfo Pua said yesterday that the heavy downpour loosened the soil, resulting in the Koblerville landslide. On Beach Road, Pua said several motorists were stranded Wednesday night due to flood on the northbound lane from across the National Office Supply to the American Memorial Park.

In Dandan where a Shell gas station is located, Pua said the flood reached up to two feet, washing debris—and even a 5-foot refrigerator—to the road.

The debris prompted teams from the EMO and the Department of Public Works to conduct clearing operations during the wee hours yesterday.

Debris were also scattered on the road across H-Mart on Middle Road before government teams responded to remove them, Pua said.

At the Sugar King area, rainwater gushed strongly downhill and damaged a paved road, he added. The rains also flooded portions of Middle Road, particularly across the Shell gas station in Gualo Rai.

Pua advised motorists plying Saipan’s thoroughfares to take extra precaution, as rainy weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

FEMA TEAM ARRIVING

Some 12 to 20 representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were set to arrive on Saipan last night, according to Vicky Villagomez, the Governor’s Authorized Representative.

FEMA’s coordinating officer William Lokey arrived on-island earlier this week following President Bush’s declaration of the Commonwealth as a major disaster area due to the onslaught of Typhoon Tingting. Deputy federal coordinating officer Libby Turner is now on-island, while Lokey flew to Guam, another disaster area.

Villagomez said the FEMA representatives would document the damage caused by Tingting, which had its closest approach on Saipan last June 28.

CNMI and FEMA representatives would sign an agreement outlining the extent of federal disaster assistance that would be made available to the CNMI pursuant to the presidential disaster declaration.

A joint preliminary damage assessment earlier conducted by the CNMI and the FEMA estimated damage on Saipan and Tinian to reach over $2.53 million.

Of this estimate, some $650,000 would be needed to restore utilities; $350,000, roads and bridges; $250,000, buildings and equipment; $210,000, parks and recreational facilities; $150,000, water control facilities; and $77,000, debris clearance. Some $82,000 would cover overtime pay of government personnel during response and recovery efforts after the typhoon.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta also earlier reported on the estimated damage to Rota’s roads at over $761,800. He told FEMA about the over $1-million worth of damage to Rota’s commercial port, and over $500,000 to the island’s agricultural crops.

SBA PROCESSES DISASTER LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration has received at least 20 applications for disaster loans on Saipan, most of them for rehabilitation of damaged houses.

SBA loan officer Steve E. Cockrum, who will be at the temporary SBA center at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe until Aug. 21, said only 20 so far have submitted their applications, although up to 140 people have trooped to the center since Friday.

Cockrum said 19 of the applicants claim damage to residences. One of the applicants is a catering business, which is seeking funds to replace damaged assets and recover economic injury.

“Most of the applications will be processed two to three weeks from the date the application is submitted,” Cockrum said. “We’re encouraging everyone to have their application back here before the 21st [of August].”

Those who fail to submit their applications at the center by Aug. 21 would have to turn them in to the SBA’s regional headquarters in Sacramento, California.

Saipan’s businesses and individuals who suffered losses due to the onslaught of Tingting may personally file their applications for up to $1.5 million in low-interest disaster loans, following the SBA’s administrative declaration of Saipan as a disaster area.

With the SBA’s administrative declaration, homeowners, renters, non-profit private organizations, and businesses of all sizes may avail of disaster loans.

Up to $200,000 in disaster loan may be made available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real property. The SBA also said that homeowners and renters could be eligible for up to $40,000 in disaster loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

“Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Additionally, economic injury disaster loans of up to $1.5 million are available to small businesses,” according to the SBA.

For physical damage loans, interest rate can be as low as 2.75 percent for businesses and non-profit organizations without available credit elsewhere. Interest on economic injury loans for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives without other credit lines is also 2.75 percent.

Those who are unable to visit the Susupe disaster center may obtain information and loan applications by writing to SBA at P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841-9004, or by calling toll-free at (800)488-5323. Hearing impaired individuals may call (916)735-1683.