CNMI officials urge residents to shelter as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches

The mayor of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) says the island has prepared "as best they can" for Super Typhoon Bavi.

The National Weather Service in Guam says the category 5 storm is forecast to remain near this intensity through Tuesday, as it passes through the Marianas.

Rota mayor Aubry Hocog said officials have been canvassing remote communities, opening two emergency shelters, and urging residents to stay indoors until authorities issue the all-clear.

A typhoon warning is in effect for Rota, Tinian, Saipan and Guam, and surrounding coastal waters.

The Weather Service says widespread destructive winds in excess of 240 km per hour are expected.

Hocog said personnel from the Rota Mayor's Office spent the past several days visiting residents in remote farmland areas and the outskirts of villages while also using social media to relay critical storm information and safety advisories.

"Our team has been working diligently these past couple of days to prepare our island and our people from Super Typhoon Bavi. We are prepared as best we can."

She said officials continued making house-to-house visits and contacting residents to encourage them to seek shelter in sturdy homes or evacuate to the Office of Aging in Sinapalo or Dr Rita Hocog Inos Jr/Sr High School in Songsong before conditions deteriorate.

Residents needing transportation assistance to shelters were advised to contact the Rota Mayor's Office or the Office of Aging.

Hocog urged residents to complete preparations immediately and remain indoors as Bavi approaches with potentially catastrophic winds.

"Please take this warning seriously and complete all necessary preparations."

She also appealed to residents to stay inside until authorities issue the all-clear so emergency responders and utility crews can safely assess roads, clear debris and identify downed power lines and other hazards.

"We ask our people to kindly cooperate and be prepared. By working together and taking the necessary precautions, we can help protect our families, neighbors and community. We pray for the safety of our people."

As Rota braces for what forecasters say could be a direct strike, federal disaster agencies say personnel and emergency supplies have already been positioned across the Commonwealth to respond once the storm passes.

Officials from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the US Small Business Administration told Marianas Press that contingency plans have already been activated while recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku continues less than three months after that storm battered the CNMI.

Federal gvoernment response

Keith Jones, FEMA external affairs officer, said the agency has activated its Regional Response Coordination Center in Oakland, California, while approximately 240 federal personnel from multiple agencies are already on Saipan.

"We've stood up a Regional Response Coordination Center in Oakland, California. We also have about 240 federal employees-not just all FEMA, from across the federal government-here in Saipan."

Jones said emergency commodities have been staged on Saipan and Guam, with additional supplies already being shipped toward the Marianas.

"We've already started the supply chain ... they were discussing this in Washington, DC, even on the Fourth of July, making sure that the people of Saipan and the people of the CNMI and Guam are going to have the supplies they need after the storm."

He added that FEMA personnel chartered flights into the CNMI ahead of Bavi's arrival to ensure responders would already be on island when recovery operations begin.

"We actually chartered flights to get here before the storm's impact ... just to make sure that we are on the island so that we are ready to go as soon as the storm passes."

While declining to discuss specific personnel locations, Jones said FEMA has staff supporting the CNMI Emergency Operations Center and coordinating closely with local officials.

SBA public affairs specialist Reynata Mason said the agency's role largely begins after a disaster, but personnel are already in place awaiting Bavi's passage.

"Our focus is primarily after the disaster happens... We do have staff here on the ground just ready to see what that aftermath is going to look like."

Mason said SBA has approved more than $35.1 million in disaster loans following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, including about $31.1m for Saipan, $2.9m for Tinian and $487,300 for Rota. The agency has received 1198 applications from Saipan, 138 from Tinian and 35 from Rota.

Although Bavi would become the CNMI's second super typhoon in less than three months, both officials said responding to consecutive major disasters is something federal agencies have experienced elsewhere.

"Just because you went through Sinlaku doesn't mean that Bavi's going to be the same," Jones said.

He urged residents to prioritize personal safety over property.

"If you're not in a hardened shelter, get into a hardened shelter."

Jones also advised residents to secure important documents, food and water but emphasized that preparing for survival is more important than documenting possessions.

"I want to put your safety over taking a few pictures."

Mason echoed the message, encouraging residents to follow local government advisories and continue preparing while looking after neighbors.

"What we do today and how we prepare today is going to make a big difference on tomorrow."

She added that federal agencies remain committed to helping the CNMI recover.

"We were here for Sinlaku. We will be here for Bavi, and again, we're going to be here to provide the resources as needed."