The Governor of the Northern Marianas has declared a state of emergency as Typhoon Vongfong affects the Commonwealth.
Governor Eloy Inos says the emergency declaration is necessary for the government to identify and mobilise resources in anticipation of the impact and potential damage as a result of the typhoon.
The National Weather Service says Typhoon Vongfong's closest approach to the CNMI was on early Monday at 18 miles north of Rota, 40 miles south of Tinian, and 60 miles south of Saipan.
Governor Inos directed all government offices to close because of the threat of the system.
United Airlines and Cape Air cancelled flights, while banks, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and several businesses also closed.
There were also no church services last night.
