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'Anything that was tinned out here is destroyed': Tinian assesses Sinlaku damage

From RNZ Pacific · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Tinian, a key island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is assessing the extensive damage caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
  • Officials report that "basically anything that was tinned out here is destroyed," indicating widespread destruction of vulnerable structures.
  • While the full extent is still being evaluated, Sinlaku is compared to Super Typhoon Yutu, with some officials finding Sinlaku more unsettling due to its prolonged duration and erratic track, though preparedness may have mitigated the worst outcomes.

Tinian, a vital part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is now facing the daunting task of recovery in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The storm, which lingered for over 50 hours, has left a significant trail of destruction, prompting officials to begin the difficult process of assessing the damage. Allen Perez, chief of staff to the Tinian Mayor, provided a stark assessment, noting that "basically anything that was tinned out here is destroyed," a grim testament to the typhoon's ferocity.

basically anything that was tinned out here is destroyed

— Allen PerezAllen Perez, chief of staff to the Tinian Mayor, describes the widespread damage to structures on the island caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Comparing Sinlaku to previous devastating storms like Yutu (2019) and Soudelor (2015), Perez indicated that while the total destruction might rival Yutu, Sinlaku's prolonged presence and unpredictable path made it a particularly unsettling experience. "This one I think was a little bit more scary," he admitted, despite acknowledging that the island was perhaps better prepared this time around due to lessons learned from past super typhoons. The late scramble to board up structures, as the storm's track shifted unexpectedly, highlighted the challenges faced by residents.

I'm not sure if we're going to have as much damage as Yutu.

— Allen PerezAllen Perez compares the potential scale of damage from Sinlaku to that of Super Typhoon Yutu.

Despite the widespread damage, particularly to vulnerable structures, the primary focus now is on recovery. Perez assured that the island's population is safe, a crucial positive outcome amidst the devastation. Efforts are underway to restore essential services, with power restoration expected to take time and water being a priority. The logistical hurdles unique to an island community like Tinian are well understood, and municipal staff are actively engaged in coordinating the recovery. From the perspective of RNZ Pacific, covering the region, this story underscores the persistent vulnerability of Pacific islands to increasingly severe weather events, and the resilience required to rebuild and prepare for future storms.

And the reason why is because it hung around for so long.

— Allen PerezAllen Perez explains why Super Typhoon Sinlaku felt more impactful than previous storms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RNZ Pacific. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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