SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang signed Executive Order No. 2026-004 Saturday, declaring a State of Significant Emergency for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan as Typhoon Sinlaku approaches on a forecast track toward all populated CNMI islands.
The declaration, signed April 11, 2026, cites the storm’s forecast to intensify into a Category 3 or Category 4 typhoon prior to landfall, with all of Saipan, Tinian and Rota under threat. The order authorizes the deployment of any forces and the use or distribution of any supplies, equipment, materials, facilities and personnel available under the CNMI Emergency Operations Plan. CNMI HSEM is designated as the primary authority for addressing the emergency in coordination with federal and local partners.
The executive order notes a Typhoon Watch in effect as of 10:59 a.m. Saturday for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, with typhoon-force winds of 74 mph or greater possible within 48 hours. Anticipated impacts listed in the order include 15 to 20 inches of rainfall for Rota and 8 to 15 inches for Tinian and Saipan from Sunday night through Wednesday, significant flash flooding risk, coastal inundation, storm surge, dangerous surf, widespread power outages, wind damage to homes and critical facilities, and major disruptions to transportation and communications.
