Federal Coordinating Officer Andrew Grant said the federal government is moving “in full force” to support the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as Bavi approaches, emphasizing that lessons learned from Typhoon Sinlaku are shaping FEMA’s early positioning and rapid-response posture.
Speaking shortly at a press briefing after President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for the CNMI on Saturday morning, Grant said the declaration gives FEMA “certain authorities to move quickly,” allowing federal teams to activate resources ahead of landfall.
“Both [events] are catastrophic and are of deep concern to everyone in the federal government who is here to assist,” Grant said. “Despite the devastation that occurred with Sinlaku, we learned a lot — about ourselves, and about working closely with our CNMI partners in every facet of what we do.”
Grant said FEMA is reviewing “the playbook that Sinlaku gave us,” noting that many of the same personnel who worked the earlier disaster are already mobilized for Bavi. “As tragic as that was, it allows us to move that much faster,” he said.
He added that unlike surprise events, FEMA now has a clearer understanding of CNMI’s hardest problem sets and can focus federal support where the governor requests it.
Grant acknowledged the unusual challenge of supporting CNMI’s recovery from Sinlaku while preparing for another major event in the same geographic space.
“Yes, in many occasions,” he said when asked if he had experienced such overlap before. “We’re going to make sure we’re organized around ensuring that we continue to move on recovery as well as support the response.”
He said FEMA has the resources and capacity to do both simultaneously.
Grant clarified that CNMI is currently under a major disaster declaration for Sinlaku and an emergency declaration for Bavi. The two carry different authorities.
“There’s only one major declaration,” he said. “An individual assistance program has been opened for survivors from Sinlaku, and that process will remain open.”
He emphasized that FEMA cannot provide individual assistance for Bavi unless CNMI requests — and the federal government approves — a new major disaster declaration.
For residents still waiting on Sinlaku assistance, Grant said the process continues uninterrupted.
“Someone may receive a letter of denial or ineligibility next week — that will be from the previous major declaration,” he said. “They will need to continue to provide information to become eligible.”
If CNMI later receives a major declaration for Bavi, residents who sustained new damage could apply again — but only under that new declaration.
Grant said FEMA will resume full recovery operations once conditions allow teams to move safely after Bavi passes.
“The president has said that we will be here for this emergency,” Grant said. “We’re here in full force.”
