Trump approves Rota emergency declaration
Restoration from the devastation of Typhoon Mangkhut will take a while, but on Rota, which
took a direct hit, it will clearly take much longer. CNMI Governor Ralph DLG Torres was on the scene as Commonwealth Utilities Corp. staff got the process started.
Meanwhile, Torres' request for an emergency declaration has been approved by Washington.
"I am pleased to announce that President Trump has approved my request for an emergency declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands," Torres said Tuesday in a news release.
"FEMA is now authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures ... to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe on the three islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota."
"Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance Program at 75 percent federal funding," the release added.
