Updated: Thursday, November 1, 2018, 9 A.M.
The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming is sending disaster volunteers the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific. The islands are located southeast of Japan and are divided into two U.S. jurisdictions – the Northern Mariana Islands and the territory of Guam.
Three disaster responders from Colorado and two from Wyoming will be supporting the people of Saipan after
American Red Cross volunteers in the Northern Mariana Islands pose for a picture before heading out to distribute relief supplies to typhoon Yutu-impacted neighbors. Photo by American Red Cross of the Northern Mariana Islands
Super Typhoon Yuto devastated the island.
Clark Buck from the Mile High Chapter departed Sunday and will help manage the distribution of emergency supplies.
Cindi Shank from the Wyoming Chapter departed today to manage the logistics program that includes the movement of supplies and staff.
Roger Ortiz from the Southeastern Colorado Chapter will depart on Thursday to serve as a supervisor for sheltering.
Bill Schmidt from the Mile High Chapter will serve as a Mass Care supervisor for the people in Red Cross shelters.
Sylvia Raumaker from the Wyoming Chapter will serve as a Mass Care supervisor supporting people in Red Cross shelters.
- On Saipan, island-wide water services remain offline and more water stations have been opened, where residents can retrieve non-potable water for activities like bathing and cleaning. Additionally, little over half of grocers, restaurants and retailers have re-opened on the island.
- The American Red Cross is working with government and community partners, supporting the provision of food and damage assessment, particularly across hard-hit Saipan and Tinian.
- Lack of power continues to challenge relief efforts.
Over 1,000 people are staying in 15 shelters. Typhoon Yutu destroyed home after home on the Northern Mariana Islands last week, leaving people without power, water and other basic necessities in heat that feels like it’s more than 100 degrees. The American Red Cross is mobilizing disaster workers and supplies to help those in need on the islands.
The Red Cross is responding to disaster areas that are 8,000 miles apart from Florida to Saipan. Help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Go to www.redcross.org/donate or call 1-800-RedCross to make a donation.
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Devastation caused by Typhoon Yutu on the Mariana Islands. Photo by JD Tenorio/American Red Cross
Updated: Monday, October 29, 2018, 2:30 P.M.
Super Typhoon Yutu was an extremely dangerous Category 5 typhoon when it hit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam on Wednesday, October 25. It was the strongest storm to impact the United States since 1935 and the most powerful storm on record to impact CNMI.
- Rough surf and dangerous rip currents continue along the north and west-facing reefs, and will likely subside sometime tomorrow.
- The storm has left tens of thousands of Americans without electricity and running water, particularly on Saipan and Tinian.
- Local businesses continue to re-open, providing access to food and commodities.
- Saipan’s hospital is now fully operational and back on grid power. Tinian‘s health center is open and operating on generator power.
- On October 26, the President approved a Major Disaster Declaration for CNMI, opening up avenues to federal assistance for those affected.
In response to Super Typhoon Yutu, the American Red Cross is mobilizing and deploying a first wave of 65 American Red Cross responders. Most are already on their way to Saipan or Tinian via Guam. Another 110 responders will follow in the coming days and weeks.
The Red Cross situational awareness IT tool, known as “RC View”, shows an overview of the operation’s priorities on the islands of Saipan and Tinian, which were hard hit by Typhoon Yutu. Source: RC View
- Due to damage to terminals, tarmac, runway and equipment at the airports, commercial flights will not be operable for some time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is helping to coordinate and arrange transport for Red Cross staff and emergency supplies.
- On Sunday night, more than 1,000 people sought safety in 18 government-run shelters, some of which are at full capacity with the number of people needing shelter expected to rise.
- Preliminary damage assessment is currently in process.
- The Red Cross is working with partners to distribute food, water and emergency supplies across all of the affected areas.
- On October 28, over 80 Red Cross volunteers assisted in distributed blankets, totes, buckets and tarps at government-run Points of Distribution across Saipan.
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Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands are facing the devastation left behind by Super Typhoon Yutu, which crashed into the United States territory Wednesday with sustained winds of 174 mph, leaving massive destruction in its wake. The American Red Cross is responding to help those who have been impacted by this deadly storm.
- Reports are that half of the island territory is destroyed. People have no power or water and it could be months until power is restored. Estimates show as many as 6,000 homes destroyed and another 12,000 impacted by the storm. The island territory has approximately 18,000 homes.
- Ports and airports are closed. The airport in Saipan sustained significant damage and only humanitarian and military flights can get in.
- The islands are located southeast of Japan and are divided into two U.S. jurisdictions – the Northern Mariana Islands and the territory of Guam. This is the strongest storm on record to hit the islands and homes as well as critical infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving many people displaced. Almost 1,000 people are seeking safety in numerous government-run shelters which are at full capacity with the number of people needing shelter expected to rise.
- Relief and recovery efforts are now underway, but continued bad weather and the storm’s devastation are making it difficult. The Red Cross has staff in both areas who are operating with generator power and more help is on the way.
- Red Cross workers are teaming up with the office of the governor and FEMA to assess the damage and will be providing relief supplies. The Red Cross on Guam will serve as a staging area to get disaster workers and relief supplies to where they are needed.
More than 50,000 customers are without power – all of the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Photo by JD Tenorio/American Red Cross
The Red Cross will be supporting with life-saving emergency relief such as water, water purification, food, short-term shelter supplies and more.
Concerned about loved ones?
Visit redcross.org/safeandwell to register yourself or to search for someone who might be in contact with the Red Cross in Saipan.
How Can I Help?
As with any disaster, the best way to help the people impacted by Typhoon Yutu is to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. To donate you can:
Call: 1-800-REDCROSS
Click: DONATE at www.redcross.org
Text: the word redcross to 90999 to m ake a $10 donation.