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Songda spares Saipan, Tinian
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Posted on Sep 01 2004
The fringes of Supertyphoon Songda brushed past Saipan and Tinian Tuesday night, prompting the cancellation of classes and regular government offices and the opening of six public schools on Saipan to accommodate some 148 evacuees.
The supertyphoon, which approached close to Pagan, Alamagan, and Agrihan yesterday, left no major damage to Saipan and Tinian, according to the CNMI Emergency Operations Center.
As of press time, EOC public information officer Jenn Castro said there was no report yet on the extent of damage the supertyphoon might have caused in the three northern islands. Some 33 people live on these islands. They reportedly took to underground shelters in anticipation of the strong typhoon.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta cancelled his storm condition declaration for Saipan and Tinian, as the weather cleared up on the two islands before noon yesterday.
Heavy rainfall associated with the storm condition flooded several portions of the islands Tuesday night, forcing the evacuation of some 148 evacuees to the Kagman High School, and the following public elementary schools: Tanapag, Garapan, Koblerville, William S. Reyes, and Dandan. Castro said, however, said that these evacuees already went back to their respective homes.
Before dawn yesterday, storm winds without accompanying rains could still be felt on the islands.
As of 7am, Songda had maximum sustained winds of 150mph, with higher gusts. The Emergency Management Office said the supertyphoon was about 25 miles east of Pagan, 35 miles northeast of Alamagan, and 60 miles southeast of Agrihan, while moving west-northwest at 10mph.
By 1pm, the EMO said Songda’s winds slightly weakened to 145mph. The typhoon was about 15 miles north-northeast of Agrihan, 60 miles north of Pagan, and 90 miles north of Alamagan and was moving northwest at 8mph, the EMO said.
The EMO said the typhoon was expected to move at a faster pace, tracking a west-northwesterly direction.
The governor maintained his typhoon condition declaration for the three northern islands, as the EMO said that Songda would maintain its intensity within the next 12 hours before weakening further.
