SAIPAN — Day 45 of Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery finds federal assistance climbing past $17.5 million, the temporary shelter mission well into delivery across three islands, and Saipan power restoration crossing the halfway line, according to the CNMI Joint Information Center’s Update 040 released Wednesday.
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program has awarded $17,520,338.40 across 10,432 registrations. Other Needs Assistance accounts for $16,720,239.17 of that total, with Housing Assistance at $800,099.23.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has received 553 disaster loan applications and disbursed $3.8 million.
CNMI’s Sustainment of Temporary Resilience and Operational Needs on Ground mission, known as STRONG, has installed 992 tents and 131 temporary roofs. Tent installations break down to 834 on Saipan and 158 on Tinian. Temporary roofs reach all three islands at 96 on Saipan, 25 on Tinian, and 10 on Rota. The program is coordinated by the CNMI Government, Island Mayor’s Offices, CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in conjunction with FEMA, the U.S. Department of War, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Forest Service.
On Saipan, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation reports approximately 55% of electrical customers are energized through the grid as of May 27. Generation capacity stands at 34.7 megawatts, surpassing the pre-storm peak demand of about 30 megawatts. CUC says 99% of primary lines were energized as of May 19, with secondary laterals and customer connections continuing. Of 278 transformers retrieved and tested, 129 passed, 136 failed, and 13 are pending repairs.
Tinian’s power grid remains offline. Feeder assessments are 90% complete, with 1,059 customers out. CUC has received delivery of three temporary 900-kilowatt generators at the Tinian Power Plant and completed programming and wiring of the protection relay for Feeder 3.
Saipan water production is at 92% of capacity, with 10.5 million gallons per day flowing out of 11.5 MG/D installed. Approximately 98% of Saipan customers are receiving 24-hour water service. The As Matuis Tank Service Area has slipped to 60% on 24-hour service, with the remaining 40% on scheduled service as wells operate on backup generators. The Saipan boil water notice remains in effect. Tinian’s boil water notice was officially cancelled May 6.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports 20,000 cubic yards of debris collected on Saipan to date. Two new sectors begin collections Wednesday: Sector 3 covering Garapan South, Gualo Rai, and Oleai, and Sector 6 covering Garapan, Garapan North, Lower Base, Navy Hill, and Puerto Rico.
Shelter population stands at 51, a decrease of seven from the previous report. The Ada Gym holds 21, the Office on Aging holds 18, the Finasisu Terraces non-congregate site holds six, and the Western Lodge non-congregate site on Tinian holds six. The Kagman Community Center, Tanapag Youth Center, and Crowne Plaza non-congregate site are at zero clients.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, operating as TRANSIT CNMI, reports 1,279 transports between April 10 and May 27. The Fixed Route Blue Line 1B continues on a modified daylight schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., servicing Garapan, Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, San Antonio, Koblerville, and As Terlaje. Saipan Call-A-Ride operates on a limited basis. Rota and Tinian Call-A-Ride services run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., fare-free under a grant-funded pilot.
The Lucia “Chiang” Villagomez Arizapa Health Center on Tinian reopened May 5. CHCC’s Saipan Emergency Department continues 24/7 operations.
Saipan International Airport operates on limited daytime hours under generator power, with United service to Guam resumed and MACS and SMA operating inter-island flights. Tinian International Airport runs humanitarian flights only. Rota International Airport is open and operational. The Port of Saipan is open for commercial traffic with power restored. The Port of Tinian is open for commercial traffic under Port Heavy Weather Condition WHISKEY. Rota West Harbor remains partially restricted with Berth 2 suspended and Berth 1 limited to daytime general cargo.