Bolaven could pass NMI as a Category 2 typhoon

Preparations in the CNMI are in high gear as it prepares for the entry of Tropical Storm Bolaven, which is expected to pass through the Marianas today as a possible Category 2 typhoon.

Because Bolaven is considered a “rapidly intensifying” storm with a constantly changing track, CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management special assistant Franklin Babauta said the CNMI is preparing for the worst as the system is currently anticipated to pass through the Marianas as a Category 2 typhoon later today.

A system is considered a Category 2 typhoon if it brings with it maximum sustained winds of 96-110 mph.

As of 6pm yesterday, the National Weather Service in Guam reports that Bolaven only continues to intensify as it maintains its trek toward the Marianas.

Bolaven was last seen about 380 miles southeast of Rota, and 395 miles southeast of Tinian and Saipan and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

“All islands will feel the passage of Bolaven, but any one, or two, islands could face a direct hit with maximum intensity. The current track and intensity forecasts will continue to shift gradually and a slight shift to the north would bring peak conditions to Tinian and Saipan, whereas a shift to the south would bring stronger conditions to Rota,” NWS stated in its last forecast.

Due to the threat of Bolaven, President Joe Biden issued a Declaration of a State of Significant Emergency for the CNMI.

In response, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has upgraded the CNMI to Typhoon Condition II and has placed Saipan and Tinian on Typhoon Watch while Rota was placed on Tropical Storm Watch.

HSEM, in conjunction with the CNMI administration, met with government and private agencies that make up the CNMI Multi-Agency Coordination team yesterday to discuss preparation work. Babauta stated that all private, government, and federal partners have started discussing the necessary actions in response to Bolaven.

“As the storm has started to approach us, we have started preparation. We have gathered our MAC team and federal agency partners have started to arrive on Saipan. We have called them in to discuss the actions we will be taking in the next 24 hours in response to Bolaven,” he said.

One of the discussions yesterday was the opening of the shelters, issuing a price freeze declaration, and more.

The term “bolaven” refers to a Laotian mesa or plateau.

Power/water outage

Although it’s still premature to confirm, Babauta shared during yesterday’s press briefing that the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has assured the HSEM that all CNMI water wells have backup generators that are topped up on fuel to ensure that the CNMI has access to water.

As for power, Babauta said that CUC has been cutting down trees, securing power lines, and more in an effort to minimize the possibility of a prolonged power outage.

Airport closures

All CNMI airports and seaports remain open according to the Commonwealth Ports Authority. However, the agency is also monitoring the storm and will update the public on the status of the airports as the storm progresses.

The CNMI administration and HSEM encourages the public to stay updated on the development of Bolaven and to prepare for the worse as Bolaven is expected to be a strong storm as it passes through the Marianas.

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