CNMI communication systems remain sparse; cell sites rely on backup power
- Admin
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
By Jayvee Vallejera
Gov. David M. Apatang declared an “all clear” status for Saipan, Tinian and Rota at 2 p.m. today but residents grapple with the destruction left by as Typhoon Sinlaku as it pulls away from the Northern Marianas.
Typhoon Condition I is being maintained for the Northern Islands of the CNMI, and a Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Agrihan, Pagan and Alamagan.
The Saipan International Airport remains closed, CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds said in a video posted on social media.
Saipan, Tinian and Rota still have no power and several parts of the islands have severed communication systems.
While only one cell site was actually physically damaged by the typhoon, 52 of 74 cell sites on Saipan are currently out of service, said King-Hinds. “That's like 70 percent,” she said, citing data from the Federal Communications Commission.
Forty-nine cell sites are offline because they don’t have power, while 18 sites operate on backup power.
Six of Tinian's nine cell sites are currently offline due to the power outage. Two sites running on backup power.
Rota has 11 cell sites and four are currently out also due to power loss and three of those sites remain operational, but are only running from backup power.
She said restoration will improve as soon as power returns.
The Typhoon Warning for Rota, Tinian and Saipan has now been cancelled, according to the National Weather Service.
At 7 a.m. today, Typhoon Sinlaku was spotted 90 miles north-northwest of Pagan and 290 miles north of Saipan, said the NWS advisory.
Sinlaku was moving north-northeast at 7 mph with maximum sustained winds at 100 mph.
Even as Typhoon Sinlaku pulls away from the region, it continues to churn up seas, creating dangerous, potentially deadly sea and surf conditions across Guam and the CNMI.
Hazardous waves of up to 19 feet in Guam and Rota, and up to 23 feet on Saipan and Tinian, will persist through this evening, NWS said.
Along reefs and beaches, surf could reach between 17 and 20 feet, resulting in dangerously strong, potentially deadly rip currents, it added.
“Avoid being in the waters. Water conditions will be particularly dangerous at least through this evening across the Marianas,” NWS said.
People should also avoid cliffs, it added.
A Thursday afternoon flyover over Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan showed surf crashing along reefs and limestone cliffs was washing over some mid-rise limestone cliffs, which are common on some exposures across Rota, Tinian and parts of Saipan, NWS added.
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Residents are advised to continue taking precautions due to strong gusty winds and heavy rain showers.
Dangerous, deadly surf and coastal flooding along west-facing shores of the commonwealth remain a significant threat, according to the Office of the Governor. All beaches remain closed until further notice.
CNMI residents are advised to remain at home and to stay off the roads.
Typhoon Sinlaku is still in the CNMI, but it continues to weaken, NWS said.
Sinlaku is projected to pass near or over Asuncion and Maug islands in the far Northern Mariana Islands today.
NWS warns that Sinlaku remains a powerful Category-2 typhoon. Typhoon-force winds extend outward from the center up to 85 miles, while tropical storm-force winds extend outward from the center up to 270 miles.
Strong winds and passing showers will lingerr, said the CNMI Office of the Governor.
Typhoon Sinlaku’s winds started affecting the Marianas Tuesday evening.
Because of its slow pace, it seemingly lingered the whole Wednesday as it passed close to Saipan and Tinian. Strong winds and gusts lasted well into Thursday before slowly subsiding later that day.
“That prolonged exposure is contributing to the widespread disruptions that you're all seeing on the ground today,” said King-Hinds.
King-Hinds said she has been informed that fuel levels for CUC to generate power remain stable.
Saipan has about 22 days of diesel supply, Tinian has 30 days’ worth of fuel and Rota has about 22 days.
“These reserves are expected to last several weeks, which is very critical as our restoration efforts continue and federal resources arrive to be able to supplement the local restoration efforts,” she added.
King-Hinds said the Commonwealth Ports Authority, which runs the Saipan International Airport, is still doing damage assessment, but hazardous wind conditions have slowed down their progress.
She said that, as soon as CPA deems the runways safe, the resources and personnel to assist with the CNMI’s response efforts will begin arriving immediately.
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She said she has been told that critical supplies like water, meals, cots, blankets, tarps and power generators are now in Guam.
Some of those generators are now on the way to Saipan, King-Hinds said, for the emergency power needs of the islands.
King-Hinds said that shelter occupancy in the CNMI increased overnight, and there are more people waiting to get into shelters.
Additional shelters are expected to open as soon as the weather improves.
There was no immediate word on how many people are in shelters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is directly coordinating with the CNMI government, she added.
She said she has also been advised that the American Red Cross is ready to assist shelters to distribute hot meals and provide reunification services for our families across the CNMI.
Before the storm, FEMA assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for temporary roofing and teams and power teams, she said.
Federal response centers in Oakland and Washington, D.C. remain activated to support this ongoing coordination.
Before Sinlaku hit, President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for the CNMI to authorize FEMA to provide emergency assistance.
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