Saipan and Tinian have been given the all-clear as Typhoon Choi-wan moves away from the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), but authorities are warning that dangerous weather and sea conditions could linger.
Governor David Apatang declared the all-clear effective 8am Sunday after consultations with the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office and the National Weather Service in Guam.
Pagan, Agrihan, and Alamagan in the sparsely populated Northern Islands, however, remain under Typhoon Condition I and a typhoon warning.
Typhoon Condition I means damaging winds of 74 miles per hour or more are imminent or occurring within 12 hours.
Sustained tropical storm-force winds are no longer expected on Saipan and Tinian, but authorities said a strong monsoon surge trailing Choi-wan will continue to bring strong winds, hazardous seas and surf, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall.
A gale warning, wind advisory, and flood watch remain in effect for Saipan and Tinian.
A high surf advisory is also in effect until 4pm Monday, while a coastal flood statement and high rip-current risk remain in effect through Monday afternoon.
Residents have been urged to continue exercising caution on the roads, stay out of the water, and secure tents, canopies, tarps, and other loose outdoor items.
As of 7am Sunday, the centre of Choi-wan was about 425 miles north of Saipan and 435 miles north of Tinian.
The storm was also about 185 miles north-northeast of Agrihan, 220 miles north-northeast of Pagan, and 255 miles north-northeast of Alamagan.
Choi-wan was moving northeast at 9 miles per hour and was expected to turn north with little change in forward speed through Monday.
Maximum sustained winds had increased to 110mph, with the typhoon forecast to strengthen further through Sunday night.
Typhoon-force winds extended outward up to 65 miles from the centre, while tropical storm-force winds stretched as far as 345 miles to the southeast.
