Supertyphoon Yutu claimed at least one life on the island of Saipan. Dozens more were reported injured.
An official in Saipan confirmed for The Guam Daily Post that one person brought to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. hospital on Thursday morning was dead on arrival from injuries sustained during the storm.
Dozens of others were lined up to seek medical care for mostly minor injuries, the official said. Two people who suffered major lacerations were brought to the emergency room for surgery.
Severe damage
An islandwide assessment of Yutu's damage is not expected to get underway until Friday morning.
Nadine De Leon Guerrero, the external affairs officer for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Homeland Security, said hazardous weather conditions from the tail end of the typhoon prevented CNMI authorities from conducting a comprehensive survey on Thursday.
The island remained in Condition of Readiness 1 throughout most of the day. COR 4 was not declared until 5 p.m. Thursday, she said.
However, De Leon Guerrero acknowledged that damage is widespread and severe.
The first priority is clearing the roadways of debris and opening the airport, De Leon Guerrero said.
“The islands don’t have power and don’t have water,” she said, referring to Tinian and Saipan.
De Leon Guerrero said the greatest need now is for bottled water, nonperishable foods, fans and cleaning supplies. She added battery-operated items to the list because power is not expected for a long time.
'We will overcome together'
In a statement issued Thursday morning, CNMI Gov. Ralph Torres noted the resiliency of the Marianas.
“My heart goes out to all who call the CNMI home, but what we suffer through together, we will overcome together,” Torres said. “While we have been battered by this disaster, we will be stronger because we are resilient.”
