COMMUNITY BRIEFS – February 8, 2023

4.7-magnitude quake in Saipan region

At 3:59pm on Feb. 7, 2023, a report of a 4.7-magnitude earthquake occurred at 15.831°N 145.940°E of the Saipan region in the Northern Mariana Islands. Currently, there are no tsunami warnings or advisories issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, please contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 670-237-8000. (PR)

5.0-magnitude quake near Yigo

At 12:44pm on Feb. 7 2023, a report of a 5.0-magnitude earthquake occurred 60 kilometers north-northeast of Yigo village, Guam. Currently, no tsunami warnings or advisories were issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, contact the CNMI EOC State Warning Point at 237-8000. (PR)

Rip currents until Sunday night

The public is being warned that there is a high risk of rip currents through late Sunday night.

Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Guam and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, dangerous rip currents are present in east facing reefs of the Marianas. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

The risk may briefly decrease today and tonight to moderate, but an east swell will rebuild again Thursday through the weekend.

The public is reminded to stay out of the water along east facing reef lines. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. (PR)

SCC statement on APA suspension

“The Saipan Chamber of Commerce as the collective voice of our island’s business community is deeply concerned about the Federal Aviation Administration’s suspension of services provided by Aero Micronesia Inc. dba Asia Pacific Airlines last Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

“The suspension of APA’s services will have a severe impact on our small and isolated community in the Northern Marianas Islands. It will affect access to daily mail, medicine, fresh produce, and other goods essential to daily life in our islands.

“On Febr. 3, 2023, APA issued a petition requesting for a review and relief from the FAA’s decision. We are hopeful that the parties resolve this matter very soon as every day that service is interrupted is detrimental to our community,” the SCC statement said.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization with over 130 members. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1976, SCC is the largest private business organization in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information visit the SCC office at the Marianas Business Plaza, fourth floor, suite 413, call 1(670)234-7150, or email contactus@saipanchamber.org. (PR)