Tropical depression 08W intensifies into tropical storm Higos; Saipan, Tinian under Condition I

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Saipan--Barely recovering from Supertyphoon Sinlaku, which left a trail of destruction in Mid-April, the Northern Mariana Islands is again bracing for another potential storm.

Northern Mariana Islands Gov. David M. Apatang today declared Tropical Storm Condition I for Saipan and Tinian as Tropical Depression 08W moves toward the islands and intensifies into Tropical Storm Higos.

Tropical Storm Condition I means that tropical storm conditions, including winds of 39 mph or more, are expected or occurring.

The governor's office said government offices will remain open and normal operations will continue.

As the system was moving toward the CNMI, the center is currently located about 25 miles south of Tinian and 35 miles south-southwest of Saipan.

The governor issued the readiness condition in consultation with the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office.

Based on the latest forecast, the system is expected to continue moving west of the Marianas through the day.

Heaviest showers and gustiest winds are currently moving west of Tinian and Saipan. If this convection remains west of the islands, the two islands may not experience tropical storm conditions. However, if the convection wraps around the system's center, tropical storm-force winds of around 40 mph could affect the islands.

Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are possible today, with locally higher amounts in isolated heavy showers. Residents should remain alert for brief periods of reduced visibility and localized flooding in low-lying areas.