Typhoon watch in effect on Rota

Tropical Depression 11W was upgraded to a tropical storm yesterday afternoon and is now named Tropical Storm Halong. Gov. Eloy S. Inos has declared Typhoon Condition II for the island of Rota and Tropical Storm Condition III for the islands of Saipan and Tinian as of 8pm last night. A typhoon watch is now in effect for Guam and Rota.

Typhoon conditions including destructive winds of 75 mph or more are possible within the next 48 hours, according to the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

As of 7pm last night, the center of Tropical Storm Halong was located by radar about 190 miles east-southeast of Rota and about 200 miles southeast of Tinian and Saipan

Tropical Storm Halong is moving northwest at 6 mph but is expected to turn back towards the west-northwest this morning with a slight increase in forward speed during the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center. Tropical Storm Halong is forecasted to continue intensifying during the next couple of days and could become a typhoon within the next 12 to 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan, and tropical storm conditions including damaging winds of 39 mph or more are possible within the next 48 hours.

Flood advisory

Tropical Storm Halong could bring locally heavy rainfall to the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan up to Thursday morning.

A flash flood watch is now in effect for the island of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota through Thursday morning, while rainfall of 3 to 5 inches are probable by noon today, Wednesday.

The public is being urged to stay away from flooded roads and pay attention to stream and river levels. People living in a low-lying or flood-prone area are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of flooding on your property over the next few days. Take precautionary measures and expect heavy rain showers and gusty winds associated with Tropical Storm Halong.

High surf advisory

Tropical Storm Halong will also cause surf to rise rapidly today as it moves over the Marianas this afternoon, according to the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Surf will remain hazardous through the latter part of the week.

A high surf advisory is now in effect until 6am Sunday. Hazardous surf of 9 to 12 feet was expected along south and west facing shores last night. Surf will build even higher by today, Wednesday, along all reefs as Tropical Storm Halong moves across the Marianas. Surf is expected to reach warning levels by this evening.

The general public and inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, are advised to avoid boating in these conditions. If travel by boat is necessary, avoid venturing near exposed reefs and beaches especially those along all reefs as rip currents are life threatening. Stay out of the water.

The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be monitoring the movement of this tropical storm and will be issuing bulletins as they become available. Official bulletins will be available through local media sources and NOAA weather radio broadcast on 162.5 megahertz, or call the CNMI EOC dispatch center at 237-8000 or dial 211, and for the Northern Islands to contact the CNMI EOC dispatch center at high frequency single side band radio on frequency 5.205.0.