Tinian escapes worst of Bavi as damage assessment awaits all-clear

Initial reports indicate Tinian appears to have escaped the worst of Super Typhoon Bavi, with scattered reports of downed power poles and damaged roofs but no immediate indications of widespread devastation, Mayor Edwin Aldan said as officials awaited the all-clear before conducting a full assessment.

Speaking to Marianas Press just after noon on July 6, Aldan said authorities were relying on telephone reports because emergency crews had not yet been cleared to inspect the island.

The mayor said 44 people were sheltering in government shelters during the storm. While there had been no formal damage assessment, initial reports pointed to at least one downed power pole and several roofs that had already been weakened by Super Typhoon Sinlaku sustaining additional damage. Power remained out across the island, although water service was still available.

Asked whether Bavi appeared worse than Sinlaku based on his initial observations, Aldan replied, "No, no, pretty much."

Aldan said municipal crews would begin islandwide assessments only after Gov. David M. Apatang authorizes emergency responders to go outside.

The mayor also urged the Commonwealth government to ensure municipal employees responding to the disaster are adequately funded.

"They better prepare their money because we employees come back from work," Aldan said. "We want to make sure that we pay them. It's not fair. If they don't get paid, they come in and work and they don't get paid."

He noted that many municipal operations depend on skilled workers who perform specialized tasks, making it critical to retain them during disaster recovery.

Addressing the federal government, Aldan thanked federal partners for their continued assistance following Sinlaku and expressed hope that support would continue as recovery from Bavi begins.

"They're still here to help us, support us with food," he said. "I appreciate [that] and I hope that we get our food [assistance] again and then move forward with some of these reconstructions."

Aldan ended with a heartfelt message for the people of Rota, which bore the brunt of Bavi's strongest winds.

"My heart pulls out for the people on Rota," he said. "I'm getting some photos and pictures and videos and messages from my friends on Rota. They got hit hard."

While acknowledging that property can be repaired, Aldan said the repeated blows from major typhoons have taken an emotional and financial toll on island residents.

"It hurts the wallet because you need to repair your home," he said. "Now you've got to go through this hardship."

He closed with a message to Apatang, echoing the governor's call for unity during the recovery effort.

"Like he always says, let's work together," Aldan said. "Let's work together, really."