PUBLIC ADVISORIES – May 23, 2023

Shelters activated

Shelters have been activated and were opened at 4pm yesterday, May 22, 2023. Residents who need shelter assistance are asked to use the shelters closest to their homes. Residents are expected to bring their own bedding, food, and drinks in the shelter. No pets are permitted in the shelter unless the pet is a certified service animal. An ID should be presented upon entry.

1. Marianas High School (Cafeteria)

2. Koblerville Elementary School (Cafeteria)

3. Kagman High School (Cafeteria)

4. Tinian: Tinian Elementary School (Cafeteria)

5. Rota: Sinapalo Office on Aging

6. Rota: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School

For Saipan, the Office on Aging will be open to accommodate persons with disabilities and those with medical needs. Services under these categories include individuals who are wheelchair bound, who need oxygen, and for those with ailments that do not need to be admitted at the hospital.

For Tinian, the Tinian Aging Center is open only for persons with disabilities or the elderly. For individuals requiring medical attention, the Tinian Health Center is open.

For Rota, the Office on Aging in Sinapalo is the designated shelter for persons with disabilities and the elderly. For individuals requiring medical attention, the Rota Health Center is open.

Enhanced infrared image of Typhoon Mawar, as taken from https://www.goes.noaa.gov/guam/index.html. (NOAA)

Contact for transport to shelters

Contact information for transport services to typhoon shelters for the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Residents who need transport services can contact these telephone numbers for transportation assistance:

SAIPAN:
EOC State Warning Point: (670) 237-8000
TINIAN:
Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority Tinian: (670) 433-0011
Public School System Tinian: (670) 783-8962
Tinian Municipality Operation Center: (670) 483-1800
ROTA:
Rota Mayor’s Office: (670) 532-9451/2 (PR)

CUC: Fill water tanks

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is recommending customers to fill water tanks and extra vessels, such as bathtubs, 5-gallon buckets, etc.

For the island of Rota: During heavy rain events, CUC will shut-off the main cave water source to avoid elevated turbidity level in the water system. While water turbidity levels are within acceptable range at this time, the current weather forecast due to the approaching storm may result in the need for an emergency water service interruption. Alternative sources will be activated. Therefore, customers on high elevation will be experiencing low water pressure to no water.

Typhoon advisory for pregnant women

When Typhoon Condition II is declared, women pregnant 36 weeks or over and pregnant women at risk for preterm labor may seek shelter at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. For more information, call 670-234-8950. In case of an emergency call 911. (PR)

24-hour customer service phone lines

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is reminding the public of the importance of keeping the 24-hour Customer Service phone lines open for emergencies. Our priority is to ensure that the phone lines remain readily available for emergency utility situations where immediate assistance is required, such as down power lines, burning or sparking transformers, major water leaks, and/or sewer overflows.

If and when a storm or typhoon becomes unsafe to send our operators into the field to handle emergencies, we request that you report any hazards and maintain a safe distance until help becomes available.

For updates on electrical and water outages, contact the automated CUC Hotline at (670) 236-4333. (PR)

PSS, NMC, NMTech, private schools

The CNMI Public School System has announced that its classes are canceled today, May 23, until further notice. The continuation or cancellation of classes for other educational institutions will be announced by the respective institutions. (PR)

Rota Health Center

Because of the declaration of Typhoon Condition II for Rota, the Rota Health Center will be closed. Patients will be contacted to reschedule appointments that are affected by these closures. The RHC Emergency Room on Rota remains open despite weather conditions.

Tropical storm conditions

CHCC clinics and outpatient services on Saipan and Tinian are operating regularly until conditions escalate to Typhoon Condition I or II:

●  Children’s Clinic
●  Dental Clinic
●  Dialysis Center
●  Family Care Clinic
●  HIV/STD and TB Program
●  Immunization Clinic
●  Koblerville COVID-19 Community Center
●  Mobile Clinic
●  Oncology Center
●  Outpatient Pharmacy
●  Tinian Health Center
●  WIC Clinic
●  Women’s Clinic

Community Guidance Center:

●  Transitional Living Center
●  Suicide Prevention Program
●  Wellness Clinic
●  System of Care
●  Treatment and Recovery Clinic

CHCC recommends that all residents make sure they have enough of their prescription medications to last at least one week. This is especially important for people with diabetes, hypertension, or uncontrolled asthma. Store your medications in a waterproof container and take them with you to wherever you are sheltering from the storm.

BOG closes Guam, NMI branches today

Bank of Guam ise temporarily closing its branches in Guam and the CNMI due to approaching Typhoon Mawar. Effective Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Bank of Guam headquarters, along with all Guam and CNMI branches, will be closed. The Familia Contact Center will also close at 12am today, May 23, until Condition of Readiness 4 is declared and it’s safe to reopen. (PR)

BOH closes Guam, Saipan branches today

Bank of Hawai‘i will close all branch operations in Guam and on Saipan today, May 23, due to Typhoon Mawar. The bank’s Hagatna and Harmon branches in Guam and its Gualo Rai Branch on Saipan will remain closed starting today until further notice. The bank’s Koror branch in Palau will remain open. (PR)