 A typhoon watch was issued for Rota , Tinian , and Saipan on December 14 , which was upgraded to a typhoon warning the next day . Because Paka was intensifying while passing to the south of Rota , the first wind , or northeast through east winds , was less severe than the second wind from the southeast . Sustained winds on the island reached 145 km / h ( 90 mph ) , with gusts reaching 185 km / h ( 115 mph ) . Many trees in the mountainous portion of the island were left defoliated , which limited nesting and foraging sites for the endangered bridled white @-@ eye bird . While passing to the south of the island , Paka dropped 250 – 300 mm ( 10 – 12 in ) of rain . Damage on the island totaled $ 4 @.@ 4 million ( 1997 USD , $ 6 @.@ 4 million 2015 USD ) . The typhoon also produced above @-@ normal precipitation on Saipan . 
