KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau is assessing the damage after Typhoon Surigae left a trail of devastation that is estimated to cost $2 million, an amount expected to increase as a comprehensive post-typhoon appraisal continues.
Vice President and National Emergency Committee Chair J. Uduch Senior in an interview said there were no casualties, but education, utility, health, agriculture, infrastructure and homes were all affected by the typhoon.
Senior said 30 homes across the 16 states were destroyed, while 199 sustained minor damage.
The preliminary assessment also identified those who will need assistance: residents with destroyed or damaged homes or those with no electricity or water, among other things.
Kayangel Gov. Richard Ngiraked said preliminary appraisal showed that three homes were destroyed in Kayangel.
Ngiraked said the typhoon also caused flooding, and electricity had yet to be restored.
As residents began to clean up, one of them said the government did not warn them about the incoming typhoon.
“This is really different from the last administration,” the resident said. “Before, they would warn us and tell us to secure our homes, go to a safe place, and all those things. Now, no.”
Senior said she understands the frustration of the community, but according to the National Emergency Management Office and Palau meteorologists, Typhoon Surigae had an unusual trajectory.
She said the government did warn the public about the incoming storm as Surigae suddenly developed into a typhoon early Friday morning.
“It was traveling toward Yap and suddenly veered to the left and become a typhoon in the early morning of Friday,” she added.
Typhoon Surigae left Koror and Babeldaob without electricity, water, and phone service for almost two days.
Senior said one of the lessons learned during the typhoon was the need to come up with a better system to communicate with the public especially when electricity and cellular services are down.
She said help is coming to the communities impacted by the typhoon, adding that the Australian and U.S. governments are also providing assistance.
J. Uduch Senior
