TYPHOON CIMARON 082018 Nd

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of the Governor HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Honorable Ralph DLG. Torres, Governor Gerald J. Deleon Guerrero, Special Assistant Honorable Victor B. Hocog, Lieutenant Governor COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Office of the Governor Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2018

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres Upgrades Alamagan, Pagan & Agrihan to Typhoon Condition I; Saipan & Tinian to Tropical Storm Condition I

Because of the anticipated threat of Typhoon Cimaron, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres has upgraded the islands of Saipan & Tinian from Tropical Storm Condition II to Tropical Storm Condition I, and Typhoon Condition II to Typhoon Condition I for the islands of Alamagan, Pagan & Agrihan.

Typhoon Cimaron is expected to make its Closest Point of Approach (CPA) to the Marianas this afternoon at 3PM; however, the residents of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands can expect the worst weather conditions to occur Monday evening into early Tuesday morning for the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

Although Cimaron has been upgraded from Tropical Storm Cimaron to Typhoon Cimaron, this does not mean the islands of Saipan and Tinian will be experiencing Typhoon-strength winds. This simply means the center of Typhoon Cimaron has been upgraded in strength from Tropical Storm-strength to Typhoon-strength conditions.

Weather Outlook As of 1PM CHST, the center of Typhoon Cimaron was located 17.3 N Latitude, 148.5 E Longitude. Typhoon Cimaron is moving toward the West-Northwest at 7 MPH, and is expected to make a slight turn toward the Northwest with an increase in forward speed over the next 24 hours with Maximum sustained winds at 75 MPH. Typhoon Cimaron is forecasted to intensify through Tuesday.

Also as of 1PM CHST, Typhoon Cimaron was situated at 235 miles northeast of Saipan; 250 miles northeast of Tinian; 175 miles east of Alamagan; 185 miles east-southeast of Pagan; 210 miles east-southeast of Agrihan; placing the islands of Saipan and Tinian on Tropical Storm Condition II and the islands of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan on Typhoon Condition II.

Tropical Storm Conditions (Saipan & Tinian) mean we can expect damaging winds of 39 to 73 MPH within the next 6 to 12 hours.

Typhoon Conditions (Alamagan, Pagan & Agrihan) mean we can expect destructive winds of 74 MPH or more within the next 24 hours.

Caller Box 10007, Capitol Hill, Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2216 (mainline), Facsimile: (670) 664-2218 (mainline), Training Center (670) 322-8005, Communication Technology (670) 322-8003 EOC STATE WARNING POINT (24/7) Tel. No. (670) 237-8000 or (670) 664-8000 Fax No. (670) 322-9500 Community

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of the Governor HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Honorable Ralph DLG. Torres, Governor Gerald J. Deleon Guerrero, Special Assistant Honorable Victor B. Hocog, Lieutenant Governor Multi-Agency Updates: Government operations have been shut down until the ALL CLEAR has been issued by the Office of the Governor.

The Public School System and Northern Marianas College have CANCELLED all classes for Monday, 08/20/18.

No reports of power or water outages have been reported.

The following Public School System Saipan campuses have opened for shelter: Kagman High, Koblerville Elementary & Tanapag Middle School; Tinian: Tinian Elementary School.

The Saipan International Airport remains open with all flights expected to resume as scheduled. However, the Commuter Airport has ceased operations as of 2PM this afternoon.

The U. S. Coast Guard is on “Yankee Status” meaning, all Seaport Operations have been suspended until further notice.

The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) has currently suspended regular routes until further notice as the agency readies to support residents who need transportation from their homes to open shelters. Should residents require transportation assistance, please call the State Warning Point at (670) 237-8000.

The Mayor’s Office and Dept. of Public Works are working around the clock to ensure roadways are free of debris. Please report any impassable roads to the Dept. of Public Works Agency Operating Center (AOC) at (670) 322-9498.

Additional Advisories: A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Saipan, Tinian, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan. Heavy rainfall is expected as Typhoon Cimaron passes through the Marianas. Due to its slow motion, there is potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding. Rainfall of 4-5 inches have already been recorded. The residents of Saipan and Tinian can expect 6-8 inches of rain as Typhoon Cimaron passes through.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Clear any debris around drainage areas.

The community is advised to continue to practice caution on the roadways as heavy rain is still expected to occur throughout the Marianas.

Stay Informed: HSEM in coordination with the National Weather Office will continue to monitor the system and provide significant updates to the community. To stay informed, HSEM urges the community to follow us on the following social media platforms to get the latest weather updates and information:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of the Governor HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Honorable Ralph DLG. Torres, Governor Gerald J. Deleon Guerrero, Special Assistant Honorable Victor B. Hocog, Lieutenant Governor  CNMI EOC State Warning Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp/  CNMI Office of the Governor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNMIGov/  Governor Ralph DLG. Torres Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ralphdlg.torres/  CNMI Joint Information Center: https://www.facebook.com/JICNMI/  NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/  NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/

HSEM also encourages residents to download HSEM’s readyCNMI App available for FREE in the Apple iStore or Google PlayStore to receive the latest weather updates and notifications.

For more information or media inquiries, contact Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero, HSEM Public Information Officer at [email protected].

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