After sending a letter requesting an emergency declaration for the CNMI on Sunday, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres and Acting Governor Arnold I. Palacios announced on Monday that President Donald J. Trump has expeditiously approved their request for an emergency declaration due to the emergency conditions and anticipated threat of Typhoon Bualoi.
This is the second federal emergency declaration for the CNMI in two weeks, after Super Typhoon Hagibis threatened the Marianas on Oct. 8.
As of 11:30 a,m. Monday typhoon Bualoi continued to intensify as it approached the Marianas, according to CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Seas were beginning to build and winds were expected to begin to increase in the afternoon iin Tinian and Saipan.
With the approval of the request for an emergency declaration, Governor Torres noted federal partners will soon be mobilized to assist CNMI local first responders prepare for the typhoon and help with recovery work after the typhoon.
“Thank you to the President, the White House, FEMA, Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor, Region IX Administrator Bob Fenton and Deputy Administrator Bill Roche, and our federal partners for acting on this expeditiously for our residents here in the CNMI as Typhoon Bualoi makes its way to the Marianas,” Torres said.
“We extend our appreciation to everyone at the Emergency Operations Center and our first responders in the field for your service. Marianas, please continue to make your final preparations and help one another,” he added.
“We are very appreciative to the President, the White House, and FEMA for their approval of our request,” Acting Governor Palacios said.
“Our hardworking first responders continue their pre-storm assessments and preparations at the Emergency Operations Center and out in the field as Typhoon Bualoi continues its current track. We ask our residents to continue their preparations and monitor our updates,” he added.
The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the municipalities of Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and the Northern Islands. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding. Pete Gaynor, acting administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency Department of Homeland Security, named Teresa Serata as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the municipalities of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and the Northern Islands. Serata served as the federal lead two weeks ago during Super Typhoon Hagibis and assisted the CNMI during recovery efforts following Super Typhoon Yutu last October.
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