Tropical Storm Choi-Wan has forced schools, Northern Marianas College, and government offices to close in the Northern Mariana Islands, while strong winds and heavy rain have caused several power outages on Saipan, including one that abruptly ended a gubernatorial debate.
The storm is bringing another round of severe weather to a territory still recovering from super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi earlier this year.
The National Weather Service placed Saipan, Tinian, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan under tropical storm warnings, while typhoon watches were issued for Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.
Choi-Wan was expected to bring tropical storm-force conditions to Saipan and Tinian, with sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph.
Choi-Wan comes less than six months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated parts of the territory in April and Super Typhoon Bavi struck Rota in July.
The Public School System placed schools on Saipan and Tinian on half-day schedules Thursday before closing them Friday. Koblerville Elementary School was closed both days, while PSS athletic activities were also cancelled.
Schools on Rota remained on their regular schedules.
Northern Marianas College also cancelled classes on Saipan and Tinian beginning at noon Thursday and for all of Friday. College offices on both islands were closed, while NMC’s Rota campus remained open.
The approaching storm also prompted the CNMI government to release employees early Thursday and close offices Friday, except for essential operations.
The Commonwealth Judiciary closed all its facilities Friday, while the US District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands closed Thursday afternoon until further notice.
The weather has also added to Saipan’s persistent power problems.
Several outages were reported as conditions deteriorated Thursday, including one shortly after 8pm that plunged the Gilbert C Ada Gymnasium into darkness during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce gubernatorial debate.
The outage forced the Chamber to postpone the second half of the debate.
It came with a dose of irony-the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and Saipan’s power problems had been the final topic discussed by the three gubernatorial candidates before the scheduled intermission.
Chamber president Dr Joshua Wise said the organisation plans to confer with the candidates and continue the remaining portion of the debate online at a later date.
The National Weather Service has warned that Choi-Wan is only part of a multi-day period of hazardous weather, with a developing monsoon surge expected to bring additional strong winds and heavy rain across the Marianas.
Forecasters said Choi-Wan was expected to strengthen as it moved through the Northern Marianas, with rapid intensification possible as the system turns north.
Residents have been advised to secure loose objects and prepare for deteriorating winds, seas and surf.
