SAIPAN — Recovery Day 9 from Typhoon Sinlaku brought the news the CNMI had been waiting for: President Donald J. Trump signed the major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth, unlocking FEMA individual assistance for residents across all four islands.
The declaration was announced Friday morning by Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds and covers the incident period of April 11 through April 18.
Residents can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA app. Before cleaning up, document all damage with photos and video first.
On water, CUC issued a conservation advisory Friday asking all residents to limit use to drinking, cooking and basic hygiene. Car wash facilities are asked to close immediately.
Six filling stations remain open across Saipan with a 100-gallon vehicle limit. FEMA bottled water distribution moves to the Garapan Fishing Base Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
The search for the five missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana continued Friday with more than 71 hours and 100,000 square nautical miles covered.
CHCC assumed custody of the one set of remains recovered earlier in the week. Identity is still unknown.
On the ground, the Department of Public Works reopened Route 34 in Kagman to all traffic including heavy vehicles. COTA has completed 261 emergency transports since the storm. DPS suspended non-essential fees during the recovery period.
The Saipan Health Clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Recovery Day 10 begins with a major federal press conference at the Emergency Operations Center on Capitol Hill at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Governor David M. Apatang will be joined by FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton, U.S. Department of the Interior officials and Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky, Commander of Joint Task Force Micronesia. NMI News Service will carry it live on Facebook and YouTube.
Full coverage of every story from Recovery Day 9 is available on our website.
