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DCCA expects flooding, prepares Aging Office
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Posted on Aug 21 2018
A sloshy Typhoon Cimaron inundated several areas on Saipan with rain yesterday, causing widespread flooding. (Kimberly Bautista)
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has initiated preparations for using the Office of Aging in Garapan as a possible evacuation shelter as Typhoon Cimaron passes over the CNMI.
DCCA Secretary Robert Hunter said yesterday that his department is making the necessary preparations in order to have the Office of Aging ready for civilians seeking shelter.
“All the shelters are on standby if we need them. We are ready,” Hunter told Saipan Tribune yesterday. “As soon as we are called and it is known to us that there are individuals in need of shelter accommodation, we have staff on the ready to make shelter available for them and to man the shelters as well.”
Many DCCA offices served as temporary shelters soon after the onslaught of Typhoon Soudelor in August 2015.
Hunter noted that, according to the Emergency Management Office, damaging winds are expected to be low. He further noted that if there were individuals in need of shelter, it would probably be because of flooding.
“There is a lot of rain associated with this typhoon,” he said.
Hunter noted that the Aging Office could shelter up to 40 people at a time.
DCCA’s second shelter, the Kagman Community Center, is currently offline and undergoing renovation.
The Governor’s Office upgraded Saipan and Tinian from Tropical Storm Condition II to Tropical Storm Condition I around 3pm yesterday and declared Typhoon Condition I for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.
The EOC warns the public of possible wind speeds of 39 mph to 73 mph within the next six to 12 hours as of 2:30pm yesterday.
If you are in need of shelter, contact the State Warning Point at 237-8000 for transportation to your nearest shelter.
