BREAKING NEWS: Jebi becomes a super typhoon

As Jebi moves away from the Northern Mariana Islands, the system has intensified from typhoon to super typhoon-strength with maximum sustained winds at 160 miles per hour.

The CNMI State Warning Point, in coordination with the National Weather Service Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to closely monitor the system.

Until its track is completely out of the area, a typhoon warning remains in effect for the islands of Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan.

Typhoon Condition I means destructive winds of 74 mph or more are expected within the next 12 hours or are occurring.

At 10:00am today, Super Typhoon Jebi was moving toward the west at 16 mph and is expected to make a slight turn west-northwest with a slight decrease in forward speed.

Super Typhoon Jebi made its passage early Friday morning between the islands of Pagan and Alamagan. Until such time communications are declared safe for reinstatement, no official assessment information will be released.

The CNMI Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management continues to work closely with the Northern Mariana Islands Mayor’s Office until the “all clear” declaration has been made.

HSEM has also taken the necessary precautionary measures to ensure federal partners were notified pre-storm, should an emergency declaration be issued, and deployment for assistance be required.

A high surf advisory for the islands of Tinian and Saipan remain in effect until 6am, Sept. 1, 2018. Large swells will create hazardous surf conditions on north and east-facing reefs well into early Saturday morning.

Surf will be hazardous at 10 to 12 feet along east-facing reefs and 7 to 9 feet on north-facing reefs. Some erosion may be expected in these areas as well as strong rip currents making waters dangerous for swimmers.

A small craft advisory also remains in effect for the islands of Tinian and Saipan until 6am Saturday morning. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid sailing in these conditions.

If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help, and most importantly, remain calm. Stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.

The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 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:

• 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/