President Donald Trump has approved disaster declarations for Guam and the CNMI, both were slammed by typhon Mangkhut on Sept. 10.
Guam officials have estimated the damage at $4.3 million.
Guam’s request for Individual Assistance is still under review, according to the governor’s office. The federal government has awarded Guam a grant under Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. They include:
Public Assistance provides grants to state and local governments and certain nonprofit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters.
Public Assistance projects may fall into the following categories: debris removal, emergency protective measures, road systems and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks and other recreational facilities
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program will assist Guam in building back stronger, reducing long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
On Saipan, the CNMI government urged residents and local businesses who sustained property loss or damage from Mangkhut. According to the CNMI governor’s office, the best method to register for disaster assistance in the CNMI is by speaking directly with Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel.
While disaster survivors can also register online by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362, registering in-person is preferable because the Disaster Survivor Assistance staff is able to ensure the CNMI addresses are accurately reflected in our system.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel will be supporting disaster survivors by providing opportunities to register for disaster assistance, and by providing referrals to additional resources available to assist those impacted by Typhoon Mangkhut.
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to businesses and residents as a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Linda McMahon announced.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing Rota, Saipan and Tinian with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said McMahon. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
The Declaration includes both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to help people and communities recover from Typhoon Mangkhut.
Individual Assistance is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency directly to eligible individuals and families who have sustained losses due to disasters.
Public Assistance provides reimbursement grants to state/territorial and local governments, as well as certain non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters. Specifically, the program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the permanent restoration of infrastructure.