SAIPAN – The Joint Information Center said Saipan’s power generation capacity now exceeds pre-Sinlaku peak demand 38 days after landfall, but full restoration on island remains unfinished while Tinian’s grid is still entirely offline, according to the daily situational update issued Wednesday afternoon.
Saipan generation now sits at 34.7 megawatts across all sources, the JIC said. That includes 18.7 MW from Power Plant 1, 4 MW from Power Plant 4, and 12 MW from Aggreko’s eight online diesel engines. Peak demand before the storm was approximately 30 MW. Despite generation surpassing pre-storm operational levels, the JIC said full restoration has not yet been achieved because work continues on damaged power poles, transmission infrastructure, and lateral lines throughout the villages.
Saipan primary line restoration sat at 98% as of May 18. Eight of 10 feeders are at 100%, with Feeder 4 at 80% and crews securing laterals and connecting customers in Dandan Homestead, Fina Sisu, As Gonno, Koblerville, San Antonio, Tun Joaquin Doi Road, Chalan Kiya, and Gualo Rai. The Kiya 4 feeder along Beach Road is energizing secondary lines and customers in Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, and San Antonio. Current totals as of May 16 show 631 poles down with 107 replaced, 552 transformers down, and 705 damaged crossarms.
On the water side, JIC said approximately 90% of Saipan customers are now receiving 24-hour service, with 10% on intermittent supply. Tank Service Areas at 100% on 24-hour water include As Terlaje, Capitol Hill, Puerto Rico, Agag, Rapagao, Dandan, Gualo Rai, Isley and Koblerville, and Kagman. Calhoun sits at 75%, As Matuis at 65%, San Vicente at 50%, and Kannat Tabla and Papago at 90%. Production is at 84% of capacity, with 9.7 of 11.5 million gallons per day flowing. Of 137 wells and facilities, 99 are online: 25 on CUC power, 31 on CUC generator, and 43 on FEMA generator. The boil water notice remains in effect.
Tinian’s grid is fully offline. All four feeders remain down with 1,059 customers without power. As of May 4 assessments, 111 poles are down, with 17 installed as of May 15. Damage figures include 55 transformers down, 53,164 linear feet of downed aluminum conductors, 89 damaged streetlights, and 116 damaged residential weather heads. Feeder 4 is ready for energization pending the straightening of a leaning riser pole at the NAVFAC site. On water, Tinian is in much better shape: service is 99% online across 861 total customers, including 679 residential, and the boil water notice on Tinian was officially cancelled May 6.
The STRONG tent and roofing mission has installed 564 tents and 58 temporary roofs across the three islands. Saipan accounts for 423 tents and 43 roofs, Tinian for 141 tents and 12 roofs, and Rota for three roofs. Current shelter population is 137 across seven sites, a decrease of two from the previous day, including 58 at Ada Gym, 33 at Kagman Community Center, 21 at the Office on Aging, 19 across three non-congregate sites, and six at the NCS Western Lodge on Tinian.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority has completed 1,094 transports from April 10 through Wednesday. The Fixed Route Blue Line 1B continues on a modified daylight schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., serving Garapan, Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, San Antonio, Koblerville, and As Terlaje. Saipan Call-A-Ride operates on a limited basis. Rota and Tinian Call-A-Ride services remain fare-free under a grant-funded pilot program.
Health services continue across all three islands. CHCC’s Emergency Department remains on 24/7 operations. The Lucia “Chiang” Villagomez Arizapa Health Center on Tinian reopened May 5. Rota Health Center continues operating on its standard schedule. The Community Guidance Center is open with limited direct client services until disaster-related office repairs are completed.
On the seaport and airport side, Saipan International Airport continues on limited daytime operations using generator power, with United Guam service resumed and MACS and SMA operating inter-island flights. Jet bridges remain down and manual baggage inspections continue. Tinian International Airport is restricted to humanitarian flights due to a generator issue. Rota International Airport is operating normally. The Port of Saipan is open for unrestricted commercial cargo, the Port of Tinian is open for unrestricted commercial cargo under Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey, and Rota West Harbor is partially restricted with Berth 2 suspended and Berth 1 limited to daytime general cargo.