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Nabi seen to hit Saipan today
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Posted on Aug 30 2005
Residents of Saipan were told yesterday to brace for the onslaught of tropical storm Nabi, which threatens to hit the island directly anytime today.
As the storm moved closer to the Marianas yesterday, the Emergency Management Office also raised a volcanic haze advisory on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, saying that prevailing winds over Anatahan is causing the bulk of volcanic haze and gases to head to the inhabited islands.
“Also, widespread rains associated with the developing storm are scouring any volcanic haze and gases still lingering over the Marianas,” the EMO said.
As of 7 o’clock last night, the National Weather Service on Guam said Nabi was already packing 65mph winds. The NWS predicted Nabi to hit Saipan directly between 4am and 4pm today.
Nabi had already gained strength in a span of a few hours, with the EMO reporting the storm’s maximum wind strength at 50mph around 4pm yesterday.
At that time, the EMO said Nabi was about 225 miles east of Saipan, 230 miles east of Tinian, and 370 miles east-northeast of Rota. The EMO also located the storm at about 340 miles southeast of Agrihan, 300 miles southeast of Pagan, and 280 miles southeast of Alamagan.
The storm was moving westerly at 13mph, but the EMO said the forward movement would gradually shift to the west-northwest. Early yesterday afternoon, the storm was tracking west-northwest.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta placed those islands under storm condition III, which meant that storm conditions could be felt within 36 hours.
Despite the declaration, no school has been activated for evacuation purposes as of press time. EMO spokesman Ben Cepeda said there were no reports yet of evacuation from homes even though there were occasional heavy rains yesterday.
The EMO also issued a high surf and small craft advisory, warning of swells and hazardous surf of up to 12 feet. It cautioned residents, especially sea tour operators and divers, to avoid venturing near reefs as wind and wave conditions support dangerous rip currents.
