President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, making federal assistance available to help communities recover from the impacts of Super Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall on Rota on July 6.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that federal disaster assistance will supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by the storm from July 4 through July 12. The declaration provides aid to eligible individuals and families on Rota who sustained losses from the typhoon.
According to FEMA, assistance may include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to assist disaster survivors. Residents are encouraged to file claims with their insurance providers before applying for federal assistance.
The declaration also authorizes Public Assistance funding for the government of the CNMI, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Rota was approved for all categories of Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance. FEMA said direct federal assistance for Rota will be funded at 100% of eligible costs for a 90-day period.
Meanwhile, Saipan and Tinian were approved for emergency work assistance related to the typhoon.
Individuals seeking assistance may apply through FEMA's disaster recovery programs online, by telephone or through the FEMA mobile application, the agency said.
Super Typhoon Bavi impacted the CNMI in early July, bringing destructive winds and storm-related damage across the islands, with Rota experiencing the direct effects of the storm's landfall.
