HAGÅTÑA — Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the President as Guam works to recover from millions of dollars in storm-related impacts following Super Typhoon Bavi.
The request follows weeks of coordinated damage assessment by the Government of Guam alongside village mayors, community organizations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Initial Damage Assessment identified and documented impacts to homes, public infrastructure, utilities, government facilities and other affected areas to support Guam’s request.
“From the first damage reports to our joint assessments with federal partners, our focus has been on making sure Guam’s needs are thoroughly documented and properly presented,” Leon Guerrero said. “Submitting this request is an important step forward in our recovery. We have done the work necessary to make Guam’s case, and we will continue advocating for every available resource to help our families, communities, and island recover and become more resilient.”
If approved, the declaration could make additional federal assistance available through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, the Individuals and Households Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Assistance could support eligible households along with the recovery of public infrastructure and government facilities, SBA disaster programs for eligible homeowners and businesses and investments that can reduce Guam’s vulnerability to future disasters.
“Our agencies, mayors, community partners, and federal counterparts worked side by side throughout the assessment process to ensure Guam’s impacts were properly documented,” Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio said. “That coordination has brought us to this important stage. We will continue working with our federal partners to move the process forward and position Guam to access the programs and resources that can support our recovery.”
The declaration and requested programs remain subject to federal review and approval. The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration said it will continue coordinating with FEMA Region 9 and other federal partners as Guam moves through the federal disaster declaration process and pursues available recovery resources.
