On 8/2/2015 PDT, Typhoon Soudelor made landfall at CNMI, directly over Saipan and very near Tinian, as a Category 2 typhoon.  Soudelor brought hurricane force winds (near 105mph), heavy rains and coastal inundation.

Initial reports indicated that an above-ground storage tank containing gasoline at the Mobil Oil Mariana Islands tank farm was damaged, opening a gash approximately 3 feet above the tank bottom. Tank 10 (230,000 gallon capacity) was impacted by a transportation container causing a 4-6 inch tear in the tank wall. Capacity of the damaged tank is unknown but gasoline has released into secondary containment.  Secondary containment  held and did not overtop from typhoon rain. 

AFFF foam blanket was used to reduce evaporation, VOCs, benzene, and ignition risk.  Mobil was on scene as responsible party.  The Container is still in place but cannot be moved.  Three other containers are resting on a pipeline that feeds the Commonwealth Utility Corporation (CUC) power plant with diesel.  Mobil is pumping out containment area with a diaphragm pump using generator power.

The Coast Guard Sector Guam opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to address the gasoline release and the diesel fuel release from the fuel tank on Delta Wharf.  The CG Sector Guam is acting as first federal official on scene however, the Mobil gasoline release is in the inland zone and thus, EPA’s responsibility.  EPA has deployed 2 OSCs to the Mobil spill.

10 Aug 2015 (Saipan)

Saipan Stevedores began moving toppled containers to clear a path with their crane to access to the Mobil Terminal.  Powerlines strung above the operational space are scheduled to be cut 11 Aug 2015

11 Aug 2015 (Saipan)

During a planning meeting to remove the three containers that were resting on CUC's fuel supply line that is on Mobil property, Mobil requested Saipan Stevedores provide the Certificate of Competence for the Crane Operator, US Dept. of Labor Crane Certification, a Load Chart and a Lift Plan.  Stevedores continued to move toppled containers within the Port of Saipan when not off-loading relief supply ships.  CUC disconnected power line above the operational area.