SAIPAN — Power generation on Saipan has climbed past pre-storm capacity, water service has reached most customers, and the shelter population has fallen to 40 as Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery continues, according to the CNMI Joint Information Center’s May 29 update.
On Saipan, about 57% of electrical customers are energized through the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation grid, with roughly 99% of primary power lines energized as of May 19. Generation capacity has been restored to 34.7 megawatts, surpassing the roughly 30 megawatts of peak demand recorded before the storm, though total output stood at 20.1 megawatts as of 5 p.m. on May 29. The JIC said that while generation is now substantially stabilized, full restoration has not been achieved, with work continuing on damaged poles, transmission infrastructure and lateral lines across the villages. As of May 16, CUC counted 631 poles down with 107 replaced, 552 transformers down, and 705 damaged crossarms.
On Tinian, all three power feeders have been energized, with Feeder 3 brought back online at about 10:18 a.m. on May 29 after two earlier attempts. The JIC reported 1,059 customers still without power service, including 743 residential customers. One U.S. Army 249th Engineer Battalion generator unit is operational at a maximum 900-kilowatt output, with two more on standby.
Water production on Saipan reached 92%, at 10.5 million gallons per day out of 11.5 million, with about 98% of customers receiving 24-hour service. As of May 27, 108 of 137 wells and facilities were online. A boil water notice remains in effect on Saipan, with the As Matuis tank service area at 60% on 24-hour service. On Tinian, water service is 99% online, and the boil water notice there was cancelled on May 6.
The S.T.R.O.N.G. tent and roofing mission has installed 1,083 tents across the CNMI, with 925 on Saipan and 158 on Tinian, along with 164 temporary roofs, 128 on Saipan, 25 on Tinian and 11 on Rota. The program provides temporary non-congregate sheltering for households whose homes were damaged while permanent repairs are made.
For federal assistance, FEMA reported 10,689 total registrations and roughly $19 million awarded under its Individuals and Households Program as of May 26. The U.S. Small Business Administration reported 684 loan applications received and $6.7 million in loans provided.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has collected 23,800 cubic yards of debris on Saipan. Debris removal is moving through 10 sectors covering villages islandwide, with residents asked to sort debris into separate categories, including vegetative debris, large appliances, construction and demolition debris, sheet metal, electronics and household hazardous materials, and place it along the public right-of-way without blocking roadways, fire hydrants or utility meters. Regular household trash is not collected under the mission. The USACE debris hotline is 670-588-9850.
The current shelter population stands at 40, a decrease of 11, across sites including Ada Gym, the Office on Aging and non-congregate sheltering at Finasisu Terraces. CHCC’s Emergency Department remains in 24/7 operation, with clinics, the dialysis center, oncology center, public health services and pharmacy operating on posted schedules.