‘FEMA to stay until islands recover’

The Federal Emergency Management Agency assures that the agency would be the CNMI’s partner in its recovery efforts from two destructive typhoons.

FEMA public information officer Paul Corah assured Wednesday that the agency’s personnel will be here until they see the islands are back on their feet.

“FEMA is not going anywhere until the recovery is been taken care off. We’re here as long as the Commonwealth likes us to be here,” said Corah. “We understand that recovery takes a long time, so it is a long haul…for us of trying to get the islands back in shape. And we’re going to do whatever we can to get it there and it will just take a long time. Yes, FEMA will be here for the long haul. We will stay until the islands recover.”

He added that the recovery of a community is different in every type of disaster. “Every disaster is different. It’s kind of goes in different phases. We come in and look at what kind of damage is there and how can we help the local communities better survive…taking care of the survivors by providing shelter, food, and water, and get electricity and water supply back.”

“And that’s the kind of what we’re doing right now, which is going great. We’re getting people their tents. Assisting them in shelters with other partners. We’re also looking at long-term shelters, [American] Red Cross is here to also help these people. Power companies are here to restore utilities—electricity and water getting turned back on, which is great.”

For more information or if you have already applied for disaster assistance but have waited more than 30 days, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 so they could send an inspector to assess your home.

FEMA’s response after Super Typhoon Yutu was quick since there were already FEMA personnel on Saipan for more than a month after Typhoon Mangkhut hit Rota last September. Additional federal assistance and personnel came, following the emergency and disaster declarations approved by the White House before and after Yutu.

Corah said that FEMA and the CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management have been coordinating all information and correspondence that would disseminated to the public.

“So survivors know what to do and where to go. It updates everybody on what the latest stuff is, because it changes,” said Corah.

Corah said the CNMI government, federal agencies, and other private non-profit organizations are in the middle of disaster recovery—especially on the islands of Saipan and Tinian. “We have a long way to go. FEMA is not going anywhere until the recovery is been taken care off. We’re here as long as the Commonwealth likes us to be here.”

Cleanup and repairs

Local officials are also encouraging people to begin or continue with their cleanup and repairs in their homes. Residents can start cleaning up to make their homes safe before FEMA inspectors come in and assess the damage.

They are asking people to clean up all typhoon-related debris as soon as possible and advising them to either take photos or videos—inside and outside—of their damaged homes and personal property.

Take photos of the model and serial number of appliances and electronics that were damaged during the typhoon. All household and hazardous wastes, white goods, and electronics must be taken to designated drop-off locations.

All perishable food and other items that pose a health risk must be immediately thrown away. It is also advised that all contaminated food items should be discarded unless they are in undamaged cans or commercially sealed jars.

“Sanitize containers before opening it. Sanitize pots, pans, utensils, dishes, glassware, and other items you intend to keep. Before starting any structural work, get a building permit from your local building authorities,” said the CNMI Joint Information Center in a statement.