The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has narrowly escaped severe damage expected by Super Typhoon Melor as it swept by at the weekend.
Our correspondent in Saipan, Mark Rabago says the typhoon was headed straight for the island but passed by, causing only minor damage.
He says residents were expecting the worst but the greatest damage was done when a tree hit a power source, cutting off electricity to 90 homes for two days.
"We weren't hit hard. It passed through the channel between Saipan and the volcanic island Anatahan. Some beach roads were strewn with branches all around and as early as Sunday people from the public works were trying to fix the roads and also the department of corrections had sought their inmates to help out with the clean up operation."
Mark Rabago says everyone was well prepared by acting promptly to buy essential groceries and heading to a safe place.
