With Tropical Storm Bavi forecast to strengthen as it approaches the Marianas, residents across Saipan spent Friday securing their homes, stocking up on supplies, and urging fellow islanders to prepare early while there is still time.
Among them was Edward Dela Cruz Jr., who said storm preparations had become a family-wide effort as memories of Super Typhoon Sinlaku remain fresh.
Dela Cruz said they spent the day boarding up multiple homes belonging to relatives in Chalan Kanoa, San Antonio, Lower Navy Hill, Kagman, and Capitol Hill while ensuring they had enough food, water, and emergency supplies to last at least a week.
"We secured my dad's house this morning. We boarded up all the windows at Chalan Kanoa, then went to my grandparents' house, boarded up the windows at San Antonio. Now we're here at my house at Lower Navy Hill... and then after that, we're going to go board up at my cousin's house at Kagman, and then board up at my in-laws' house at Capitol Hill," he said.
Dela Cruz said his family also benefited from lessons learned after Sinlaku by keeping their plywood instead of throwing it away.
"Right after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, I kept my plyforms, put it directly back in storage and maintained it. A good thing we did, because it's really crazy out there. Everybody needs wood to repair," he said.
Lower Navy Hill resident Manny Sitchon said his family also completed its preparations ahead of the storm by filling up their vehicle with fuel and purchasing essential supplies while avoiding perishable food in anticipation of possible power outages.
"We already filled up our car, although we had to endure the long line. The water already, we ordered the water... we didn't purchase any perishable goods because we worry that we will again lose the power from the CUC," Sitchon said.
He encouraged residents throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to heed official advisories.
"Just keep safe. Just follow the instruction coming from the authorities... so that we will be able to avoid the destruction and any injury," he said.
Also lending a hand with storm preparations was Pale James Balajadia of Kristo Rai Parish in Garapan, who reflected on the emotional toll another potentially destructive storm is taking on island residents.
"These storms, the typhoons, [are] an act of nature, but our response to it as a community can be an act of God, an act of God's grace within us," Balajadia said.
He said the approaching storm should inspire compassion and solidarity rather than fear.
"We know from the news it can bring out the worst in people, but it can also bring out the best in people. And that is my hope," he said.
As residents continue preparing homes and gathering emergency supplies, all three interviewees stressed the importance of staying safe, helping neighbors, and following official guidance as the Commonwealth braces for another significant tropical cyclone.
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