Typhoon-hit CNMI asks US for emergency declaration
Saipan: The governor of the Northern Marianas has made a request to the US President to declare a state of emergency in the Commonwealth now that Typhoon Mangkhut has passed through the islands. Ralph Torres sent the request to Donald Trump overnight as the storm passed over the island of Rota.
Mr Torres said the heightened and erratic state of the storm threatened destruction and the impact could become catastrophic. The statement said the worst conditions from Typhoon Mangkhut had passed but windshield assessments indicated significant damage on Rota and some damage on the islands of Saipan and Tinian.
The governor said the storm was of such severity and magnitude that an effective response was beyond the capabilities of the CNMI government and federal assistance was needed to save lives and protect property, health and safety.
Rota bore the brunt of Typhoon Mangkhut with the storm dumping up to 255mm of rain and winds of over 223 kilometres an hour hitting the CNMI’s southern most island.
Over 600 people reportedly sought shelter in evacuation centres during the storm. Government offices remain closed today. With weather conditions rapidly improving across the CNMI and Guam, the National Weather Service has lifted typhoon warnings as the storm continues westward and away from the islands.
The service said tropical storm force conditions were no longer expected and the Typhoon Warnings for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan had been canceled.