01/07/2026
CNMI urges Saipan, Tinian and Rota to prepare now for TD 09W, with special guidance for STRONG tent and roof residents
SAIPAN β The CNMI Joint Information Center urged residents of Saipan, Tinian and Rota on Wednesday evening to begin preparing immediately for possible impacts from Tropical Depression 09W, and issued specific guidance for residents still living under STRONG tents and temporary roof repairs from Typhoon Sinlaku.
In an 8 p.m. advisory issued with the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office and the National Weather Service in Guam, the center said the depression was about 1,265 miles east-southeast of Guam, moving west at 12 mph and forecast to turn toward the Marianas. A possible passage through the region is expected late Sunday, July 5, into Monday, July 6. The system is strengthening and could become a tropical storm within 24 to 36 hours.
Forecasters said tropical storm force winds could arrive as early as late Saturday afternoon, with the most likely onset Sunday morning. The center advised residents to finish major preparations by sunset Saturday, especially for tents, tarps, canopies and debris piles that could become hazardous in strong winds.
The center urged residents to take these steps now:
Secure or bring inside loose outdoor items such as trash cans, patio furniture, tools, toys, signs and tarps.
Check and protect windows, doors and roofs before conditions worsen.
Charge phones, power banks and flashlights, and keep spare batteries on hand.
Fill vehicles and approved fuel containers.
Stock several days of water, nonperishable food and medications.
Place important documents, identification and cash in a waterproof container.
Review family emergency plans, including where to shelter and how to communicate if power or water is interrupted.
If living in a weak structure or low-lying area, decide now where to go if conditions worsen.
Check on elderly relatives, neighbors and others who may need help.
The center warned residents not to wait for a watch or warning to begin preparing, saying forecasts can tighten quickly and winds can ramp up fast. It also cautioned that the track is not fixed and urged residents to rely on official information rather than unofficial graphics, weather apps or social media.
The advisory carried a separate warning for residents living under STRONG tents or temporary roof repairs, part of the recovery effort after Typhoon Sinlaku. The center said those structures are not built to withstand strong tropical storm force or typhoon force winds.
Homeland Security, working with the CNMI Individual Assistance Program, urged affected residents to prepare to take down STRONG tents before conditions deteriorate and once public shelters open. A dismantling guide is included in every STRONG tent kit and is available online and officials said more guidance would follow in the coming days.
Residents who identified themselves as elderly, disabled or having medical needs on their STRONG applications will be contacted directly by Homeland Security and offered help taking down their tents, the center said. Residents with temporary STRONG roof repairs were strongly advised to move to a designated shelter once shelters open.
The center said shelter space is limited and that residents should bring only essential items such as clothing and important documents. Information on shelter availability is expected by Friday, or sooner if conditions require.
