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Storm spares NMI but rain, fog warning up
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Posted on Aug 28 2004
Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente has declared an all-clear condition for the Northern Mariana Islands, as tropical storm 21W weakened into a tropical depression early yesterday.
However, weather officials warned that rainfall remains a threat, and advised residents in low-lying areas to prepare for possible flooding.
At 1am Saturday, the National Weather Service on Guam located tropical depression 21W near latitude 14.9 degrees north and longitude 148.7 degrees east. This is about 200 miles east of Saipan, 205 miles east of Tinian, and 245 miles east-northeast of Rota.
Packing winds at 35 miles per hour, the tropical depression was moving northwest at nine miles per hour.
Weather forecasters said the tropical depression would weaken further over the next 24 hours and dissipate as a significant tropical cyclone over the water within the next 48 hours.
By 1pm, tropical depression 21W sped up, moving northwesterly at 16mph. This general motion was expected to continue over the next 24 hours.
The weather service tracked the eye of the tropical depression near latitude 16.2 degrees north and longitude 146.1 degrees east. This is about 126 miles north-northeast of Saipan, 135 miles north-northeast of Tinian, and 202 miles north-northeast of Tinian.
“Because tropical depression 21W no longer poses a threat to the Marianas, acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente declared an ‘all clear condition’ for the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota as of 2:15am [Saturday],” said the Emergency Management Office.
Still, EMO cautioned residents of possible flooding, as heavy rainfall of six inches or more is possible through Sunday.
“Residents are reminded to continue taking precaution with rain water by boiling it for at least five minutes before drinking,” EMO said.
The agency also issued a fog advisory at 5pm yesterday.
“Due to fog in higher areas, visibility in some areas is severely impaired. This fog is anticipated to continue through the night and dissipate [Sunday] morning,” EMO said. “Drivers are advised to exercise caution and use low-beam headlights when driving in affected areas.”
High surf and small craft warnings also remained in effect as of 5pm yesterday.
