Rota recovery efforts in full swing

Additional resources, including assistance provided by the Department of Fire and Emergency and Medical Services, the Department of Public Works, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are deployed yesterday morning to Rota on a C-130 aircraft provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and coordinated through the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The aircraft is also carrying water and other supplies to Rota. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

The CNMI has immediately kicked into full gear its recovery efforts following the glancing blow from Typhoon Mawar, with representatives of the local government and federal partners now on Rota to provide post-typhoon aid.

First responders like representatives from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Department of Public Works, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency made their way to Rota over the weekend to launch the post-Mawar recovery efforts.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, representatives from the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency, and Rota lawmakers also flew to Rota over the weekend to inspect the damage wrought by Typhoon Mawar and what other resources are needed in terms of recovery.

Fortunately, Rota did not sustain major damage to critical infrastructure. Typhoon Mawar, which entered the Marianas region as a super typhoon, was earlier projected to hit Guam dead on, but its path shifted slightly and barreled through the Rota channel on its way out of the region. It also weakened slightly to 140 mph, before regaining strength by Thursday morning.

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

Thanks to the CNMI’s immediate response, Rota has seen significant relief in terms of power and water restoration.

Power

According to updates from CUC, an estimated total of 567 or approximately 59% of CUC customers on Rota are now online.

As of yesterday, about 90% of residences in Sinapalo 2 have been energized while 85% of CUC customers in Sinapalo 1 have been energized.

Meanwhile, 80% of residences in Songsong have been energized while power service to the Ginalagan area has been restored.

Power was restored to the Rota Health Center and the Rota International Airport last Friday. They were the first to be energized post-Typhoon Mawar.

Water

Water service is online for the island of Rota, but customers from Teneto to the farm area have been experiencing low water pressure.

CUC water crew continue to repair leaks caused by the storm and Rota residents continue to experience intermittent services as the leaks are being repaired.

Meanwhile, CUC has issued a boil water notice for residents of Rota as water samples are tested at the CUC lab on Saipan.

According to CUC, CUC’s Saipan crew made it to Rota just in time to assist with power and water services restoration.

HSEM continues to coordinate the transportation of specialized tools, auger trucks, and two bucket trucks needed to assist the crews with the ongoing restoration of services.

In addition, resources continue were deployed to Rota on a C-130 aircraft provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and coordinated through the CNMI HSEM. The aircraft has been carrying water and other supplies to Rota since last Saturday morning.