Phanfone passes close to Saipan

Tropical Storm Phanfone passed close to Saipan yesterday, bringing with it intermittent rain and gusty winds that triggered minor flooding in parts of the island. Public schools and some private ones sent home their students early, the government shut down “non-essential services” and activated evacuation shelters, and some private companies closed for day.

As of 7pm, there were only minor flooding in Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, San Antonio, Tanapag, and other villages on Saipan as heavy rains stopped at around 10am. Slight rains occurred late afternoon.

As of 8pm last night, tropical storm warning for Saipan and Tinian was cancelled.

“However, please expect rain and winds of 30-35 knots [today],” said acting public information officer Ivan Blanco last night. 

He added that all government personnel are advised to return to work today.

Also, for the sake of safety, the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management maintained that there should be no schools today, Blanco said.

Tropical storm warning remains in effect for Pagan, Alamagan, and surrounding waters.

As of 8pm, Tropical Storm Phanfone’s center was 115 miles north northeast of Saipan and Tinian, 100 miles south southeast of Pagan, 200 miles north northeast of Rota, and 240 miles north northeast of Guam.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour and moving northwest at about 16mph, Phanfone is expected to become a typhoon and pass over the far Northern Mariana Islands early today, Wednesday.

A typhoon watch remains in effect for the far Northern Mariana Islands, including Pagan and Alamagan.

Typhoon watch means that typhoon conditions are possible in the watch area within 48 hours. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within 24 hours.

The Public School System suspended classes at all levels and sent home its students at 12pm on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Some private schools did the same. Except for Rota, PSS suspended classes at all levels today, Wednesday, as Phanfone was forecasted to become a typhoon and bring more rains.

In a statement, public information specialist Luis John DLG. Castro said shelters on Saipan were activated such as the Kagman Community Center, Tanapag Elementary, Garapan Elementary, Kagman High School, Chacha Oceanview Middle School, Dandan Middle School, and Koblerville Elementary.

Castro said Marianas High School’s emergency shelter was closed due to concerns with flooding.

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan said shelter managers and PSS staff would be securing equipment, classrooms, and buildings to minimize any damage to school properties. Assessment of the schools would be done after the typhoon passes, according to her.

A flash flood watch is in effect through late Wednesday night. That means that conditions may develop that will lead to flash flooding, which is a very dangerous situation, according to the U.S. National Weather Service in Guam.

The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a small craft advisory effective from 6pm Tuesday to 6pm Thursday. The advisory means that seas 10 feet or greater and sustained winds of 22 to 33 knots are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller boats, should avoid boating in these conditions.

If travel by boat is necessary, the National Weather Service said, people should exercise caution especially near reef lines and when entering or leaving harbors or inlets. (With Dennis Chan)