Northern Marianas Brace for Weeks Without Power After Super Typhoon Sinlaku
Officials in the Northern Marianas have warned that some areas could be without power and water for weeks after Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the Pacific Ocean islands. The storm, which first hit on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday, brought fierce winds and relentless rains, causing severe damage across the region.
Severe Damage and Flooding Reported
Ed Propst, a former lawmaker working in the governor's office, reported that the only hospital on Saipan, the largest of the Mariana Islands and a US territory, experienced severe flooding. On Thursday, there were reports of big resorts losing backup generators, exacerbating the crisis. "It's pretty bad conditions right now," Propst said, adding that residents are preparing for a long stretch without electricity and water.
The typhoon, with sustained winds of up to 150 mph (241 km/h) at landfall, flipped over cars, toppled utility poles, and ripped away tin roofs. Many roads on Saipan and Tinian, home to about 45,000 people, are impassable, and power and water services are out across the islands.
Assessment Challenges and Ongoing Threats
Bernard Villagomez, a public information officer for the territory, stated in a text to the Associated Press that first responders have not been able to conduct a full damage assessment due to a shelter-in-place order. The storm also affected Guam, another US territory with several American military bases, with tropical force winds.
As of Thursday, Sinlaku was about 170 miles northwest of Saipan, with estimated winds of 60 to 70 mph. Many sensors on the island were down, complicating monitoring efforts. The typhoon is expected to curve toward sparsely populated volcanic islands in the far northern Marianas.
Resident Accounts and Immediate Impacts
Mathew Masga, a resident of Tinian, described unsafe conditions with strong winds making it hazardous to go outside. He noted that some stores were open on Thursday, with people rushing to purchase supplies. "While driving around, I noticed numerous wooden and semi-concrete houses with damaged rooftops due to the passing typhoon," Masga said in a Facebook message. "Notably, many of our power poles and power lines are down."
Authorities are just beginning to assess the extensive damage left by the storm, as communities face the daunting task of recovery amidst prolonged utility outages.
