Public urged not to be deceived by calm

Three lawmakers urge the public, including those on Rota and Tinian, not to be deceived by the calm before the storm and to stock up on supplies as much as possible.

Rep. Glenn Maratita (R-Rota) urged residents of the CNMI, specifically Rota, to not take light of the Typhoon Condition 2 issuance of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres as the skies are gloomy yet calm throughout the weekend.

“…By tomorrow at 4pm, before Typhoon Mangkhut reaches Rota, based on the trajectory, wind speeds are projected to be a 120 mph,” Maratita said, urging CNMI residents to stock up on supplies.

“Folks back [on Rota] are really taking this typhoon seriously,” Maratita told Saipan Tribune yesterday. The Rota lawmaker further noted that he has been receiving numerous messages and calls from social media regarding the typhoon.

“What is important for the most part is that…it would be quite important for [everybody] to not take this typhoon lightly,” Maratita warns.

Maratita spoke with Saipan Tribune while he was on Saipan. He reminds Rota residents that there are two shelters on Rota: the Rita H. Inos Junior/Senior High School and the Rota Office of Aging, covering both the northern and southern areas of the island.

“We have been in constant communication with the CNMI Homeland Security and other agencies involved on this matter. We disseminate information at every possible time that there are changes pertaining to the typhoon,” he noted.

Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota), who was unable to fly out to Rota for fears of being stranded, said that one is unable to pinpoint the amount of damage each typhoon brings. With that in mind, she noted that people have been stocking up.

“As this monstrous storm approaches us, our people have been stocking up on food supplies and other needs, including securing their homes and properties as no one can anticipate the amount of damage or injury it may cause us. We pray God will spare His people from the wrath that this storm may bring,” she told Saipan Tribune.

On Tinian, Rep. Edwin Aldan (R-Tinian) shared the same sentiments. He noted that the older folk on Tinian told him the calm the Marianas is experiencing now is similar to that of Typhoon Pamela and Typhoon Jean back in 1968 and 1976, respectively. Both typhoons devastated the Marianas.

“It is very nice outside, and a lot of people are already gassing up here,” he noted, adding that the calm is disturbing, considering it is already Typhoon Condition 2.

Aldan, during his brief phone conversation with Saipan Tribune while on Tinian, said “…Just a small deviation in route and Mangkhut would hit Tinian. For that, I am very scared.”