Typhoon Bavi

As the Sinlaku loan deadline arrives, SBA is widening outreach to help residents navigate both Sinlaku and Bavi disaster assistance programs.

With homes damaged, businesses disrupted, and families still recovering from Super Typhoon Bavi, Rota residents now have access to federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, unlocking federal assistance for residents and communities recovering from the effects of Super Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall on Rota on July 6.

In addition to covering storm preparation costs, overtime and hazard pay, the bill notes that individual assistance, supported by survey and damage assessment, will also be authorized by the legislation.

With Rota still recovering from Typhoon Bavi’s July 6 landfall, the American Red Cross and the Mayor’s Office teamed up Sunday to deliver critical relief to more than 400 households, expanding shelter support, supply distribution and disaster assessments.

World Central Kitchen has partnered with six restaurants on Rota and expects to reach 15,000 meals served across the Marianas following Super Typhoon Bavi’s July 6 landfall.

The agency said inspectors will be visiting homes and businesses to seek compliance with emergency water conservation measures.

Facing mounting recovery costs and the loss of anticipated FEMA advance funding, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Kevin Watson is calling on residents to lobby House lawmakers to approve a $40 million line of credit he describes as essential to keeping restoration work moving forward.

With the “All Clear” declared but advisories still in effect, utility crews across the CNMI are confronting fragile systems and storm‑related setbacks as they work to bring electricity and water back online for Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Up to half of the utility poles on the island were toppled, and residents can spend six hours in line at the water-filling station.