The entire Marianas region was spared from severe damage or serious injuries, with the passage of Typhoon Bua-loi.
Gusty wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and minor flooding were the worst of the weather conditions brought to the Marianas by Typhoon Bua-loi, which continues to make its way away from the region.
As of 11:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, its center was located 130 miles north northeast of Saipan continuing its northwestward track at 14 mph with winds of 130 mph, making it a Category 2 typhoon,
However, this was well after it passed the Marianas island chain which now in the clear, with the “All Clear” issued by CNMI Acting Governor Arnold Palacios, which means government offices and schools in the CNMI will reopen tomorrow.
As of 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, there were 273 residents, 56 families on Saipan and two on Tinian who utilized shelters that were activated since Sunday.
Government personnel were deployed to assist residents in erecting their tents and transitioning back into their homes. Power stayed on throughout the storm, however, water lines were shut off as a precautionary measure. All services have since been restored.
Early this morning, Brad Ruszala resident of Saipan, called in to Newstalk K57 with an on-site description of how the island looked, post Typhoon Bua-loi.
“We definitely have a lot of flooding that came in from all the rain that came in overnight and the rain that continues to fall today. The gusts are coming in, but for the most part, the wind has somewhat died down. But it’s just intermittent gusts, intermittent rain, still heavy cloud cover here. But it looks like we made it through the night safe and sound,” Ruszala said.
A federal emergency declaration for the CNMI has been approved by President Trump, the second one in two weeks, following Super Typhoon Hagibis’ impact to the Commonwealth.
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