A typhoon has hit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with reports of widespread flooding.
The Saipan Tribune newspaper, reports that the storm Tingting felled trees, caused power outages, and forced nearly 200 people to take refuge in evacuation centres.
The National Weather Service said the tropical storm was moving northwest towards the islands of Agrihan and Pagan.
At least 197 people on Saipan including 91 children took refuge at six evacuation centres.
The typhoon resulted in massive flooding on several portions of Saipan, including a long stretch of Beach Road. Pangelinan also reported flooding in some areas in Tanapag, Afetnas and Lower Base.
A spokesman for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation said power outages interrupted with the sewer system's pump station in Tanapag, causing sewage overflow.
Larry Guerrero says power has yet to be restored in many areas, after a transformer exploded and falling trees affected power lines.
