Hocog: We are as prepared as can be

Despite having just gone through Typhoon Mawar, the island of Rota is expected to bear the brunt of Typhoon Bolaven, which is forecasted to pass just north of Rota.

Typhoon Bolaven, previously known as Tropical Storm Bolaven, quickly intensified as it made its way to the Marianas throughout yesterday before being upgraded to a Category 1 typhoon at around 1pm.

According to forecasts from the National Weather Service in Guam, Bolaven continued to shift west throughout yesterday, and the closest point of approach was seen just a few miles north of Rota starting at around 5pm.

After learning that Rota would be bearing the brunt of the typhoon, the Municipality of Rota did its best to brace itself for the worst, said Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog.

“We are as prepared as we can be. I’m anxious because our count at the shelter is very low. I just hope that our people are safe wherever they are. Power is out and there is a boil-water notice [in effect],” she said.

Fortunately, Rota will not experience a direct hit, said Gov. Arnold I. Palacios at a separate news briefing, but it will still experience harsher weather conditions compared to the rest of the CNMI given that Bolaven will miss Rota by just a few miles.

“As of 12pm yesterday, we learned that Typhoon Bolaven, based on its west-northwest track, was going to pass near Rota. Rota, fortunately, will not suffer a direct hit but they will be experiencing a near-miss. We have been informed that they are prepared as can be,” he said.

Since learning of Bolaven’s change in course and with Rota expected to experience the worst of the storm, the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management has shifted its focus to preparing to coordinate recovery efforts for Rota, said HSEM special assistant Franklin Babauta.

“We have our partner here from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and partners from the U.S. Department of Defense and we are preparing to leave for Rota when it’s safe to do so,” he said.

As part of recovery efforts, Babauta shared that power crews will be deployed to Rota once it’s safe to do so.

Other resources, like food and water, will also be sent to Rota once it is safe to do so with the help of FEMA and DOD partners.

Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan said in a statement that, as of 6pm yesterday, Tinian was experiencing strong gusts of winds that would come and go.

“I think we are at the peak of the storm. Fortunately, we are okay and we have been preparing for Bolaven,” he said.