By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE tsunami watch did not last an hour yesterday, but Tropical Storm Kong-Rey 01W intensified into a typhoon and was expected to hit the Northern Marianas last night.
The Emergency Management Office came out with an 8:34 a.m. bulletin announcing a tsunami watch for the Marianas due to a major earthquake that occurred near the Solomon Islands at 6:40 a.m. (Story on page 2)
At 5 p.m. yesterday, EMO upgraded Kong-Rey 01W to typhoon status and located it 250 miles east-southeast of Tinian, 245 miles east-southeast of Saipan and 258 miles east of Rota.
It was moving at an average speed of 15 mph. Its northwest to north northwest track was expected to decrease slightly in speed over the next 12 to 24 hours.
Typhoon force winds of 74 mph or more swirled around the core of the developing eye wall.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, in the afternoon, released all employees of non-essential government agencies as he upgraded Saipan, Tinian and Rota to tropical storm condition 2.
EMO has designated emergency shelters for residents whose dwellings are vulnerable to the strong winds of the typhoon.
The designated shelters on Saipan are:
• Kagman commnity center for the residents of Kagman, Papago and Capital Hill.
• Tanapag Elementary School for As Matuis, San Rogue and Tanapag.
• Garapan Elementary School for Sadog Tasi, Garapan, China Town and Gualo Rai.
• Marianas High School for residents of San Jose, Susupe and Chalan Kanoa.
• Koblerville Elementary School for Koblerville and San Antonio.
• Dandan Elementary School for Dandan and Obyan.
On Tinian: Tinian Elementary School, Building I and K.
On Rota: Rota High School, the Youth Center and the Manamko’ Center.
EMO said transportation to these shelters will be available and anyone needing it should call the agency at 322-8002, 322-8003, 322-9529 or 322-9528.
The Department of Public Safety, in a separate media release, advised the community to follow these emergency safety measures:
• Stay tuned to radio updates and information regarding typhoon conditions.
• Motorists are strongly advised to take caution and stay off roads during the typhoon. Due to strong winds and flooding, the community is urged to beware of loose debris.
The following are areas where flooding is most likely to occur: Kanat Tabla, Beach Road, Susupe, Shell Dandan, Chalan Kiya, Middle Road, Puerto Rico, Tanapag, San Vicente, near the Ton Bako store and Kagman III, Phase 4
During evacuation procedures:
• Police will be notifying the public over loud speakers if there is a need to vacate homes and move to designated schools for shelter.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, DPS said all public schools except for Oleai Elementary School and Kagman High School had been designated by the Public School System as evacuation shelters.
The public is urged to stay tuned to radio updates on other evacuation shelters.
For emergency transportation assistance, call 911 or EMO.
• Emergency Management Office Contact Numbers: 322-0220 or 0222.
Also yesterday, flights on Continental Connection, operated by Cape Air, were canceled.
The flights affected were:
• Guam-outbound flights CO9316, CO 9596 and CO9598, and,
• Guam-inbound flights CO9317, CO9597 and CO9601
All customers needing additional information should call Continental’s Guam reservations office at 671-647-6453, or for those on Saipan and Rota, 1-866-359-6459 (FLY-MIKE).