Obama declares state of disaster

The White House has declared that the CNMI is under a “state of disaster and significant emergency,” a day after CNMI acting governor Ralph DLG. Torres sent a formal request to the Obama administration for an expedited major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth.

In a briefing, Torres confirmed that he received a phone call early Thursday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX informing him of the White House declaration.

“As of this morning, we have a phone call from FEMA Region IX assuring me of the great news that President Obama has approved the declaration of a state of disaster,” Torres said.

The declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help the islands recover from Typhoon Soudelor, which hit Saipan and Tinian last weekend.

Torres cited a timeline of event starting on Monday in which he declared state of disaster in the CNMI.

“By Monday and Tuesday we conducted an aerial survey throughout the island and made our rough estimate. We then wrote a letter to President Obama [on Aug. 4] requesting the assistance that we need because of the state of disaster,” Torres said, adding that FEMA has been “with the CNMI government since Day One.”

Torres also assured the public that assistance is “forthcoming as we speak” and that the government and FEMA “will be looking at strategic areas to start.”

Typhoon Soudelor whipped through the islands last Sunday, bringing with it winds that were estimated near 100 miles per hour.

The final cost of the damage has not been confirmed yet. A team of FEMA representatives will have to validate the preliminary assessments upon indicating a final number.

Also, according to federal officials, they are still reviewing the requests for individual assistance, which provides funding to help families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Soudelor.

Lead agency

Stephen DeBlasio, appointed to serve as federal coordinating officer for FEMA, said the federal government is “bringing its entire capabilities” and that “FEMA is the overarching coordinator” for assistance programs authorized by President Barack Obama’s declaration.

He explained that assistance for households will be available for Saipan, while public assistance and hazard mitigation assistance will be made available for Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

FEMA has also released an advisory on how individuals can apply for the assistance. See story on Page 6

DeBlasio is encouraging the CNMI public to register to “first get in the system, get a control number, then go to the designated recovery center to be provided more information on the assistance.”

More assistance

Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) said he also received notice from FEMA that Obama signed the major disaster declaration for the CNMI.

“We are all very grateful to the President for making the decision to come to our assistance,” Sablan said. “We have a long road to recovery from the devastation of this storm, but we now know that our federal government is going to provide substantial help. And that will make recovery faster.”

According to Sablan, Obama’s action releases federal funds to help meet immediate emergency needs resulting from Typhoon Soudelor.

He said the Commonwealth will also now be eligible for federal funding to assist with debris removal, to provide aid to individuals in need, to help rebuild power, water and other public infrastructure, and for hazard mitigation projects to harden public facilities on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

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HOW TO SEEK ASSISTANCE
For individual and household assistance:
-Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and 1-800-462-7585 (TTY); or
-Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or
-Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.