PSS and Typhoon Soudelor Informational Timeline

August 1 to 3  – Response Readiness

Homeland Security Activates PSS to open for shelters and PSS begins to make-ready several schools as shelters.

August 3 – Typhoon Soudelor

Typhoon Soudelor passed directly over Saipan on August 2 as a Category 2 equivalent storm, causing widespread damage on the island. The National Weather Service’s anemometer at Saipan International Airport broke after recording a gust of 146 km/h (91 mph). The winds downed numerous trees and power lines, leaving much of the island without power and rendering roads impassible. In some areas, cars were flipped over by the force of the wind. The island’s power plant lost part of its roof and was flooded. Damage to the island’s electrical infrastructure was tremendous, with 150 power poles and 114 transformers damaged or destroyed. A total of 464 residents sought refuge in public shelters. Ten people were injured in various incidents. Acting Governor Ralph DLG Torres declared “a state of disaster and significant emergency”. Dr. Philip Dauterman of the Commonwealth Health Center in Saipan likened damage to that caused by Typhoon Pongsona which struck Guam in December 2002.In addition, John Hirsh from the American Red Cross said that Soudelor is the most damaging cyclone to hit Saipan since Typhoon Kim in 1986 struck the island nearly thirty years prior. Initial assessments by the Emergency Operations Center indicate that 384 homes were destroyed. A separate assessment by the American Red Cross showed 808 homes affected. Of this total, 158 were destroyed, 296 sustained major damage, and 354 were affected or sustained minor damage. Early estimates say that Soudelor has caused over $20 million (2015 USD) in damages on Saipan.

The local power company, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., stated they only had 77 replacement power poles and no transformers. Repairs to the electric grid, water supply network, and wastewater systems were expected to take three to four weeks. Three Mobil gas stations re-opened on August 4 for first responders and emergency services. Relief supplies from Guam and Hawaii were sent to Saipan that day. Members of the Guam National Guard, Guam Power Authority, and the Coast Guard also provided assistance. On August 6, United States President Barack Obama declared the Northern Mariana Islands a federal disaster area, allowing residents to receive government aid. Saipan was granted individual assistance while Tinian and Rota received public assistance.

August 3 through the 15th PSS opens shelters at schools

August 7 – US President declares disaster

President Obama signed a disaster declaration Thursday for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and ordered federal aid for the U.S. territory after a typhoon caused devastating destruction.

The declaration means residents and government entities are eligible for federal funds for work that includes emergency repairs and damages. The assistance may also include grants for temporary housing and low-cost loans for uninsured property damages.

“We are grateful to our president for recognizing that our island is in great need of help and at this point we will continue working with our federal partners to ensure we get the help we need to recover fully from this storm,” acting Gov. Ralph Torres said.

Typhoon Soudelor ripped through the U.S. territory in the Pacific on Sunday evening with winds up to 105 mph, causing massive damages particularly on the 48-square-mile island of Saipan, which has a population of 53,000. By Friday, many still did not have running water or electricity.

Saipan is the largest island in the Mariana Islands archipelago, after Guam.

– Article Compliments of UPI

Information on Power and Water Restoration for all locations as of September 22, 2015

September 17th, 2015 – IT&E Lends Generators to PSS

A PRIVATE company is lending public schools the generators that the central government cannot provide them. IT&E on Thursday handed 10 generators to the Public School System with Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan expressing her gratitude to the telecommunications company for helping students.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Five public schools still had no power as of Thursday: Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Marianas High School, Tanapag Elementary School and Oleai Elementary School. The generators lent by IT&E, will provide power to four buildings at KagES equivalent to about 20 or more classrooms, and six buildings at MHS equivalent to at least 40 classrooms, Sablan said. “We are so grateful to IT&E,” she added. Sablan said the generators will alleviate the difficult situation of the students in the schools that still have no power. Because of the dry weather, Sablan said some students in these schools have told her that “they are really having a difficult time.”

IT&E executive director for customer operations Rob Harrel said each of the generators can generate from 3,500 up to 5,000 watts. Harrel said the generators were shipped from Guam to supply power to IT&E cell sites on Saipan after it was hit by Typhoon Soudelor on Aug. 2, 2015.  But now that the cell sites have adequate power, he said the generators are now part of their “surplus.” He said upon reading the Variety news story about PSS needing generators, he immediately got in touch with PSS officials.

KES principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan said she is thrilled and excited to have the generators. “This is really a very big help,” she said, adding that her students can now concentrate on what is being taught to them instead of exerting more effort in fanning themselves. She said it will also provide power to light some dark classrooms.

MHS principal Cherlyn Cabrera also expressed her gratitude to IT&E. She said most of their students have been bringing their own battery operated and rechargeable fans to cope with the heat in their classrooms. “I am grateful to IT&E and they have been great community partners ever since,” she added. “So on behalf of the sweaty students at MHS we thank IT&E — I know they will be very grateful.”

Board of Education member Janice Tenorio, who works for IT&E, also expressed her gratitude to the company. “Thank you IT&E for helping our children and thinking of their situation,” she said. “The generators will really be helpful. Now, PSS will be able to provide the comfort that our children deserve.”

– Article compliments of Marianas Variety

Information on Donations.