Typhoon Jebi aims for Pagan

The sparsely populated island of Pagan is hunkered down and ready, with weather forecasts predicting that it will take a direct hit from Typhoon Jebi today.

Yesterday, during the Commonwealth Preparedness Month proclamation signing at the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office, Homeland Security public information officer Nadine Deleon Guerrero said that Typhoon Jebi’s path has shifted and is directly aimed for the island of Pagan and would bring hazardous weather to the neighboring islands of Alamagan and Agrihan.

Deleon Guerrero said the 14 residents of Pagan have kept themselves updated and Homeland Security has amped communication with Pagan residents.

According to Deleon Guerrero, the typhoon was expected to hit Pagan last night or early today.

In terms of assistance, Deleon Guerrero said the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office remain on standby and are ready to make the trip to assess the Northern Islands and bring reinforcements if needed once the typhoon threat has cleared up.

According to a public advisory from the National Weather Service in Guam, Jebi continues to intensify as it makes its way toward the Northern Islands. Sustained winds increased to 115mph yesterday evening and could possibly become a super typhoon by Friday night.

At 7pm yesterday, the center of Typhoon Jebi was forecasted to be moving toward the west at 12mph and is expected to move west-northwest overnight through today then will turn toward the northwest with a slight increase in forward speed.

Typhoon Jebi was located about 105 miles east of Alamagan, about 115 miles east-southeast of Pagan, about 140 miles east-southeast of Agrihan, about 215 miles northeast of Saipan, and about 225 miles northeast of Tinian.

Because of the anticipated threat of Typhoon Jebi, acting governor Victor B. Hocog has maintained Typhoon Condition I for the islands of Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan. No typhoon warnings have been issued for the islands of Saipan and Tinian.

Typhoon Condition I means destructive winds of 74mph or more can be expected within the next 12 hours or are occurring. The onset of destructive winds for the islands of Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan of 74mph or more is imminent.