Federal aid activated for Guam and CNMI as Sinlaku develops into a 'monster' supertyphoon
- Admin
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Bryan Manabat and Mar-Vic Cagurangan
President Donald Trump today issued a presidential emergency declaration for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, clearing the way for the deployment of federal resources in response to the “imminent and escalating” threats from
Typhoon Sinlaku, which is anticipated to make landfall tomorrow.
Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said Sinlaku "is now a monster with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph," moving NNW at 10 mph and was centered near 11.4N 149.9E.
"It may be at peak intensity now, or will be soon," Aydlett wrote on his Facebook page. "At this point, an ideal scenario for the folks on Saipan and Tinian is that this continues to shift farther north. Even a passage 20 miles offshore to the north would keep the strongest, most intense winds out over the waters."
Trump issued the declaration in response to separate requests from Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Gov. David Apatang.
The presidential directive authorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts for both territories.
“This declaration ensures that federal resources are immediately available to protect our community,” Leon Guerrero said.
“Securing this federal assistance early is a critical step in our response. We are working closely with our federal partners to ensure that life-saving measures are in place as the storm progresses through the Marianas,” said Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio.
Under this declaration, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance, at 75 percent federal funding. Andrew F. Grant has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations.
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Earlier, Apatang declared a state of emergency for the CNMI and activated emergency shelters across Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Most government offices and schools have been closed, except for emergency responders and essential operations.
Under the order, FEMA is empowered to identify, mobilize and deploy equipment and resources needed to reduce the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be funded at 75 percent by the federal government.
CNMI Del. Kimberly King‑Hinds announced the approval early Monday in a social media post, saying the Stafford Act declaration “unlocks federal resources funding an emergency support through FEMA, and it is being activated now to support our islands before, during, and after the storm.”
King‑Hinds urged residents to prepare and stay informed. “Let’s take care of each other as we always do,” she said.
Trump also approved an emergency declaration for Guam, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, allowing federal agencies to begin staging personnel and resources there as Sinlaku moves across the region.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku is tracking north‑northwest toward the Marianas at about 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service Guam. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts the system passing near Tinian and Saipan, with a Typhoon Warning in effect for Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Damaging winds are expected to begin this evening.
Guam remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, with forecasters expecting sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph tonight. A slight northward shift in the storm’s track keeps Pagan and Alamagan under a Tropical Storm Watch.
Hazardous seas, heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions are expected across the entire archipelago. Forecasters said Sinlaku could arrive between late tonight and Wednesday morning, though the exact timing may change as the system continues its approach.
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