By Emmanuel Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
NO power poles were knocked down by Super Typhoon Bavi on Saipan, although a few were left leaning and some power lines were damaged. Because of the limited damage, power and water services are expected to be restored Tuesday night for primary and essential services.
Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Kevin Watson and water division utility coordinator Joel Hoepner shared the optimistic assessment during a press conference at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Watson’s office.
“The damage done [by Super Typhoon Bavi] on Saipan was not as much as we could have had if we had a direct hit,” Watson said.
However, Rota was not as fortunate, he said, because the island took a direct hit from the storm, resulting in extensive damage.
On Saipan, Watson said CUC crews were able to immediately assess the condition of water services, wastewater lift stations and some power lines after the storm passed.
Following an in-depth assessment Tuesday morning, he said CUC crews reinstalled some primary distribution lines, straightened several leaning power poles, replaced damaged hardware and completed other repairs.
The diesel engines at the power plants were also ready to be brought online, Watson said.
“Those were completed. Right now, they’re bringing engines online at Power Plant 1, and they have assessed feeders,” he said.
The feeders ready for re-energization Tuesday night were Feeder 1, Feeder 4, Feeder 7, Kiya 1 Feeder, Kiya 2 Feeder, Kiya 3 Feeder and Kiya 4 Feeder.
Watson said it was looking promising that most primary feeders would be re-energized Tuesday.
He also said areas that had not yet regained power following Super Typhoon Sinlaku “were a work in progress.”
Some customers may remain without power, particularly those whose lateral service lines were damaged or knocked down.
Hoepner said essential facilities, including the airport and hospital, as well as emergency services such as the Emergency Operations Center and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, had their water services restored.
“We are hoping that power will be restored quickly so we can get our wells online,” Hoepner said.
Power service on Tinian
As of 6:02 p.m. Tuesday, power had been restored to portions of Tinian, CUC said.
Energized areas include portions of San Jose Village, including the Tinian Health Center, Tinian Elementary School shelter, Tinian Fuel, Bank of Guam, various businesses, portions of the Subdivision, portions of Housing/Broadway Estates, and portions of Marpo Valley, including Maui Well II.
Areas still without power include Marpo Heights, West Tinian Airport, Carolinas Heights and the Booster Pump area. These areas remain without power because damage must be assessed and repaired before they can be safely energized, CUC said.
Shelters
In related news, the CNMI Joint Information Center provided the following list of typhoon shelters and the number of shelterees at each location as of Tuesday:
Marianas High School: 86
MHS cafeteria: 29
Kagman High School: 49
Kagman Community Center: 19
Garapan Elementary School: 52
Tinian Elementary School: 23
Rita H. Inos Jr.-Sr. High School-Rota: 13
DCCA Rota Aging: 35
More updates
There were no injuries or deaths as a result of Super Typhoon Bavi on Saipan, JIC stated.
“Power plants on Saipan are intact and able to restart. Damage to power lines was minimal, and as of Tuesday, July 7, 6:46 p.m., Feeder 1 was online. Saipan airport is now on daytime/night time ops.”
Super Typhoon Bavi’s closest approach to the Marianas was expected Monday morning, with the eye passing closest to Rota around 8 a.m. ChST and the broader passage through the Saipan-Tinian area occurred around late Monday morning.
On Monday, July 6 at 7 a.m., Bavi was located:
About 20 miles east of Rota;
About 55 miles south of Tinian;
About 65 miles south-southwest of Saipan; and
About 70 miles northeast of Guam.
JIC said two injuries were reported on Rota as of July 7. The island’s health clinic generator needed repairs, and the seaport and airports were closed, as both sustained heavy damage, JIC said, adding that the power plant also sustained damage, as well as feeder lines.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
