Over 90% of Rota now energized

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios accompanies a team of senior leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Rota yesterday to discuss response and recovery efforts with Rota Mayor Aubrey M. Hocog. The visit also allowed FEMA senior leaders to see firsthand the typhoon damage on Rota and the local response efforts that are ongoing to restore power, provide access to water, conduct home and public facilities damage assessments, and more. The delegation from FEMA included Anne Bink, FEMA associate administrator of Response and Recovery; FEMA Region IX administrator Robert “Bob” Fenton; Jeffrey Dorko, FEMA associate administrator, Logistics; Justin Knighton, FEMA director of External Affairs; and other FEMA leaders. They also visited the CUC power plant, East Harbor, West Harbor, and other locations. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

The post-Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts on Rota continues, with over 90% of the island now re-energized.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. announced last Monday that about 92% of Rota has so far been re-energized, with over 860 CUC customers now back on the power grid and 119 additional customers energized as of 4pm.

Specifically, 100% of electric power has been restored to the villages of Sinapalo 1, 2, and 3.

About 79 CUC customers from Songsong, Ginalagan, Chenchun, Gampapa, As Nieves, and Du’gi remain without power due damaged power poles.

The water supply has been back up on Rota, with the exception of three residences in the Teneto village, and two residences in the Chenchun village. Ginalagan residents at the end of the water system may experience low or no water pressure.

A boil water notice remains in effect for the entire island, which was first issued last Sunday, May 28, 2023. All residents are being advised that not to drink the water without boiling it first.

CUC water crew continue to repair leaks caused by the storm. Customers may experience intermittent services as the leaks are being repaired.

A water filling station has been opened at the Ginalagan Tank (limiting 50 gallons per customer) from 7am to 7pm.

In addition, Saipan Tribune learned that supplies and resources continue to be mobilized to Rota through the U.S Coast Guard’s C-130 aircraft.

The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management has coordinated the deployment essential items like water over the past few days as water samples from Rota continue to be tested on Saipan.

Yesterday, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios accompanied a team of senior leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Rota to discuss response and recovery efforts with Rota Mayor Aubrey M. Hocog.

The delegation from FEMA included Anne Bink, FEMA associate administrator of Response and Recovery; FEMA Region IX administrator Robert “Bob” Fenton; Jeffrey Dorko, FEMA associate administrator, Logistics; Justin Knighton, FEMA director of External Affairs; and other FEMA leaders.

The visit also allowed senior FEMA leaders to see firsthand the typhoon damage on Rota and the ongoing local response efforts like the restoration of power, and restoration of water access.

In addition, these leaders have begun conducting assessments for home and public facility damage.

As part of these assessments, FEMA personnel also visited the CUC power plant, East Harbor, West Harbor, and other locations that sustained damage from Mawar.

The coordination of the CNMI’s response to Typhoon Mawar is led by CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management special assistant Franklin R. Babauta.