Mark Rabago
RNZ Pacific CNMI correspondent
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.
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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.
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