Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Update on Tidal Surge Disaster from Preliminary Damage Assessment Team in Mortlocks Islands

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): January 8, 2009 - On January 1st, 2009, the FSS Micronesia (02) departed Pohnpei on the first part of its trip to provide emergency relief and deliver the Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) Team to the Mortlock Islands in Chuuk State as the first part of the President's Emergency Relief Plan.

The patrol boat was carrying 10 thousand pounds of rice, equivalent to 490 sacks of 20lb and 40lb sacks of rice, and a joint team of damage assessors from Chuuk State and the National Government. The PDA team members for the Chuuk trip are; Ms. Oleen Poll - FSM Rep Team Leader, Ms. Marlyter Silbanuz - FSM Rep member, Mr. Wilfred Robert - DCO Chuuk State Rep, Mr. Alex Narruhn, - Chuuk State Rep: Health, Mr. Amanisio Joseph - Chuuk State Rep: Education, and Mr. Valerio Manuel -Chuuk State Rep: Agriculture.

On January 5th, 2009 a Preliminary Damage Assessment Report was sent to the National Emergency Task Force to provide initial assessment to the damage the Mortlock Islands received. The results of the report have been grouped together and averaged for the Upper, Middle and Lower Mortlock Islands. If you would like specific information on one of the islands, please contact the Office of Envrionment and Emergency Management at aneth2008@gmail.com.

Jan 03 and 04, 2009 - Lower Mortlocks (Satwan, Ta, Oneop, and Lekinioch)

The PDA Team saw that on most of these islands there was sea water damage to 80-90% of the taro, 75% of the bananas and 70% of the other crops were sprayed with sea water, with the exception of Oneop Island, where only 45% of the taro was damaged and both Oneop and Lekinioch, which both had well maintained agro forestry systems.

Jan 04-05, 2009 - Middle Mortlocks (Moch, Kuttu, Ettal and Namaluk)

The PDA Team found evidence that taro patches had been damaged on every island from 70-80% and other crops were around 75% damaged. On Ettal, up to 95% of the taro and breadfruit was totally damaged by salt water intrusion.

Jan 05, 2009 - Upper Mortlocks (Nama, Piis, and Losap)

As of the time this report was filed, these islands were not yet assessed. We are still waiting for the report to be transmitted.