President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for both Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as Super Typhoon Champi approached the Marianas over the weekend, authorizing federal assistance to support life‑safety and protective measures across the region.
The White House granted Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero’s request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration ahead of Champi’s closest approach to Guam early Sunday morning.
“We are grateful for the president’s quick response,” Leon Guerrero said. “Along with our federal partners, we will continue seeing to the needs and protection and safety of our people.”
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said the declaration ensures resources would be available as the island recovers from the storm.
“We want to assure everyone, particularly areas hardest hit by Super Typhoon Champi, that all available resources will be put to use for response and recovery,” he said.
The president’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate emergency assistance to save lives, protect property, and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Super Typhoon Champi made its closest approach the the Marianas about 10 miles off Guam’s southern tip around sunrise Sunday, delivering destructive winds and hazardous conditions.
The CNMI is also under a presidential emergency declaration following Gov. David Apatang’s request as Champi’s outer bands brought damaging winds and heavy seas to Saipan, Tinian and Rota. FEMA said federal assistance is available to supplement territorial and local response operations for emergency conditions beginning Oct. 16.
The declarations allow FEMA to mobilize personnel, equipment and other resources needed to address the storm’s impacts across both territories. Additional designations may be made if requested and supported by further damage assessments.
