Tropical storm signal conditions lifted

Acting governor David M. Apatang canceled tropical storm signal conditions for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota yesterday at 2pm.

The Office of the Governor’s cancelation of tropical storm conditions was made in consultation with the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam and the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office.

Tropical Depression Bebinca 14W was named overnight by the Japan Meteorological Agency when the agency analyzed 14W as attaining tropical storm force conditions. The name comes from the WMO/UNESCAP Typhoon Committee’s list of names, with Bebinca being contributed by Macau, China and refers to a kind of popular milk pudding there.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center upgraded 14W to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph at 7am yesterday. At 1pm, JTWC reduced Bebinca back to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

According to the Office of the Governor, canceling conditions for the islands means that damaging winds associated with Tropical Depression Bebinca are no longer expected. However, despite Tropical Depression Bebinca moving away, all residents are advised to maintain precautionary measures for strong gusty winds and heavy rain showers.

Meanwhile, the CNMI Public School System announced that all classes, including Head Start/Early Head Start and Early Intervention programs, resumes today after Apatang issued a cancellation of tropical storm conditions for the CNMI.

Tropical Storm Bebinca also affected flights yesterday as STAR Marianas Air, Inc. canceled its Rota and Guam service and suspended flights between Saipan and Tinian. The flights between Saipan and Tinian resumed in the afternoon but the inter-island carrier advised that its stations were not fully staffed and the flights require prior arrangements before they can be confirmed.

Despite the cancellation of tropical storm conditions, the following weather advisories from NWS Guam remain in effect for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota:

High surf warning

Coastal flood advisory

Flood watch

The cancellation of conditions for the islands means that damaging winds associated with Tropical Depression Bebinca are no longer expected. However, despite Tropical Depression Bebinca moving away, all residents should maintain precautionary measures for strong gusty winds and heavy rain showers associated with feeder band activity from tail winds of the storm or from the band of heavy monsoon rainfall that is located nearby.

A declaration of All Clear is expected once weather conditions improve.

The Office of the Governor advises the community to keep a close watch on official updates relating to weather forecasts and stay informed on the latest statements and advisories which will be available through official channels (listed below) and media partners.

The CNMI Office of the Governor and CNMI HSEM will be monitoring the movement of the storm, continue to consult with the National Weather Service and other agencies, and continue to provide updates when available and when appropriate.

For additional information, visit the following:

CNMI EOC State Warning Point Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp/

CNMI Office of the Governor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmigovernor

NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/

NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/

Joint Typhoon Warning Center Website: https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html.