Rota in shambles after Typhoon Mangkhut

2:54 pm on 12 September 2018

The Northern Marianas island of Rota is reportedly in a shambles in the wake of Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest storm to hit the island since 2002.

The Saipan Tribune reports the Category two typhoon brought maximum sustained winds of over 160 kilometres per hour to the island.

The island's main village of Songsong has suffered widespread damage.

No caption

Photo: Supplied

Toppled trees were sprawled across the main roads, power poles and transformers littered the island, and numerous homes were left without roofs or were toppled altogether.

Hundreds of residents are said to have lost their homes with over 40 people currently seeking shelter at the Rota Office on Aging.

The US government has declared a state of disaster emergency in the CNMI and assistance has been deployed.

Power was down in several parts of the island and water has not been readily available.

No caption

Photo: Supplied

A local NGO, Luta Cares, said the people of Rota needed flashlights, batteries, candles, bottled water, and blankets.

Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel have been assessing the damage on the island using helicopters.

There have been no reports of deaths or injuries at this stage.