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FEMA will renew ‘air bridge’ of relief goods to Saipan
The air bridge of relief goods flying in from Guam to Saipan is set to close today, Aug. 12, but will be renewed as long as there is need on the ground, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said yesterday.
FEMA established the air bridge—or the supply route—using commercial C-130s on Sunday. The route is contracted from Aug. 9 to Aug. 12.
The U.S. Department of Energy on Sunday said the air bridge would continue a “flow of generator sets and essential commodities” through today.
FEMA federal liaison officer Stephen DeBlasio clarified yesterday that this air bridge would be in effect as long as they need to be moving commodities between Guam and Saipan.
“And if the contract runs out…all we do is apply for more funding and extend the period,” he said.
“That is not going to stop as long as there is a need here to keep that pipeline going to Saipan,” DeBlasio told Saipan Tribune.
Typhoon Soudelor tore through Saipan over a week ago, crippling the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power generation and distribution system. DOE has said that, based on preliminary assessments, 48 percent of the Saipan power grid is “inoperable” due to loss of power poles and downed lines.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. expects to need a continuous stream of supplies to repair its downed system. Poles, transformers, and other equipment have been requested for full restoration efforts that so far do not have a timeframe, despite earlier reports of a timeframe of four to six weeks.
