SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang on Thursday signed Executive Order 2026-009 renewing the CNMI’s State of Significant Emergency for an additional 30 days, citing households still without power, incomplete debris clearing and elevated fuel costs nearly two months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
The renewed declaration, issued in consultation with CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, allows the Commonwealth government to identify and mobilize available resources to continue repair and restoration work following the storm. It remains in effect for 30 days or until rescinded or further renewed.
The order states that Super Typhoon Sinlaku wreaked devastating damage as a Category 4 typhoon to the CNMI’s populated islands, including Saipan, Tinian and Rota, between April 13 and 16.
It credits weeks of work on power grid repairs, restoration of water service, rebuilding of transportation and communications systems and provision of emergency relief by government agencies, federal and nonprofit partners and community volunteers, stating they have made considerable strides toward recovery.
The order acknowledges that many households still remain without power, that full restoration of the grid remains weeks away, that debris clearing is not yet completed and that families continue to struggle with elevated fuel costs and ongoing disaster-related repairs.
The declaration is issued under Article III, Section 10 of the NMI Constitution and 1 CMC § 20144, which provides that the governor shall declare a state of major disaster or significant emergency upon the occurrence of either.
