PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): July 3, 2002 –
More than 20 people have been confirmed dead and over 30 injured in Chuuk, in the
aftermath of Tropical Storm Chataan which earlier this week plotted a slow
and destructive path through the Federated States of Micronesia.
Tropical Storm Chataan had began in the southern part of Pohnpei State on
June 27, brewing as a Depression of 30-45 miles per hour winds, moving at an
agonizing four miles per hour. The Depression brought heavy rains and
swells of over 10 feet, battering the low-lying atolls of Nukuoro and
Sapwuafik destroying most of the seawalls and numerous coastlines structures.
Initial assessment reports from the atolls indicated massive intrusion of
sea-water onto the land, extensive crop damage and some missing live-stocks.
No fatalities were reported from the southern atolls.
The depression strengthened into a Tropical Storm dubbed, Chataan [Chamorro
for rainy] as it headed towards Chuuk State gusting at over 50 mph, whipping
the Ocean into swells of over 15ft.
On July 01, Tropical Storm Chataan reached Chuuk with damaging winds of over
65mph that ripped through the lagoon with torrential rains that flooded most
of the lagoon islands. Heavy rainfalls and strong winds brought down and
flooded several houses, snapped power-lines and overflowed the islands
drainage systems.
Tropical Storm Chataan passed closest to Chuuk on July 02 with a deluge that
prompted extensive landslides throughout the State. Most of the villages on
Weno have reported fatalities and injuries from landslides. The Municipalities
of Dublon, Fefan, Udot, have also confirmed victims of landslides.
Over thousands of residents have been displaced to newly identified shelters
since the designated shelters on Weno, the schools, have also been flooded.
Numerous homes have been reported either damaged or buried under mud. Most
of the villages on Weno are reporting fatalities from landslides. On Weno,
the capital city and center of activity, the two villages of Mwan and
Nepukos have confirmed deaths in their villages from the landslides, while
the injury count rises as reports continues pouring in from the other villages.
The latest from the Chuuk State Hospital, reported close to a hundred people
brought in for medical assessment and assistance.
Chuuk Governor Dr. Ansito Walter had declared on July 03, 2002 the State of
Chuuk is now in a State of Emergency.
