SAIPAN — Northern Marianas Technical Institute said it is recovering after weekend flooding in Lower Base temporarily disrupted campus operations and instructional activities.
NMTech said heavy rainfall over the weekend caused water to enter the entire campus. The campus will be closed for the rest of the week, with classes canceled, while damage assessments and cleanup efforts continue. NMTech said an official memorandum with reopening dates will be released by the end of the week.
The institute said floodwaters impacted classrooms, offices, and shared facilities, displacing supplies and interrupting normal operations. NMTech said its facilities team and campus administration moved quickly to address safety concerns and begin restoration work.
NMTech also recognized community support during the cleanup, thanking Representative Joel Camacho and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Anthony Torres for sending staff to assist. NMTech also thanked Casa Marianas for offering workspace and free printing for staff, and Steve Jang for bringing cases of water and checking in on the team.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support – a powerful reminder of the strength of our community. Each and every gesture of kindness and solidarity is greatly appreciated. Thank you for standing with us, CNMI,” NMTech CEO Attao said.
NMTech said it experienced flooding in October 2024 and used lessons from that incident to improve its response, including a two-team approach: one team focused on campus cleanup and restoration while a second team worked remotely to keep critical projects moving with minimal disruption. NMTech said recovery efforts are progressing steadily and encouraged the community to stay informed through official announcements as the institute works to return to its workforce education and training mission.
