SAIPAN — Federal disaster assistance is now available to individuals and households on Rota recovering from Super Typhoon Bavi, the CNMI Joint Information Center announced Wednesday, opening FEMA’s Individual Assistance program on the island 45 days after the storm knocked out power across the Commonwealth’s southernmost island.
The Major Disaster Declaration authorizes the program for Rota, where restoration remains the furthest behind. As of Wednesday about 29 percent of the island’s CUC customers, 278 of 967, have been energized.
Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance by calling the local toll-free line at 671-735-1050 or FEMA’s national helpline at 1-800-621-3362, online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA mobile app. Registration is free, and the JIC said survivors should apply as soon as possible since applications can be updated as conditions change. Survivors with homeowners or renters’ insurance should file a claim first, as FEMA cannot by law duplicate benefits covered by insurance, though those whose policies do not cover all damage expenses may still be eligible.
The Rota emergency tent mission has received 309 applications, with 149 tents installed as of Monday.
The Small Business Administration is also encouraging homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits on all three islands to apply for low-interest disaster loans, which can cover home repairs, personal property including vehicles, business property and working capital. The deadline for physical damage loans is Oct. 3 for Rota and Oct. 13 for Saipan and Tinian, with economic injury loan deadlines running to May 2027. Applications are open at sba.gov/disaster or 800-659-2955.
On Saipan, 92 percent of electrical customers, 13,455 of 14,687, have been energized, with crews working primary and secondary lines across Garapan, Kagman, Capitol Hill, Tanapag, Chalan Kiya, Papago, Dandan, Chalan Piao, Koblerville, Chalan Laulau, Gualo Rai, Susupe and Beach Road. Tinian stands at 94 percent restored, 993 of 1,059 customers, with pole replacement continuing in the Carolinas agricultural areas, Suicide Cliff and Marpo Heights.
Rota’s generation capacity stands at 3.8 megawatts against a current peak demand of roughly 200 kilowatts, with Cummins Generator No. 3 providing 2 megawatts since Aug. 7 and Mitsui Generator No. 1 on standby. Power pole installation continues on both Rota feeders, including the Sinapalo I area near 3 Kings, the Sinapalo Head Start and the Sinapalo Safeway.
On water, CUC has released service to 100 percent of Saipan customers in all 14 tank service areas, with 113 of 133 wells online as of noon Wednesday. The Tinian water system remains fully online. On Rota, water service has been restored to nearly all customers, with about seven in the District 1 area still without service as crews work customer-side leaks caused by the typhoon.
