Trump OKs emergency declaration for NMI

The White House approved yesterday the emergency declaration for the CNMI, in anticipation of Typhoon Bualoi, just two weeks after approving an emergency declaration for Super Typhoon Hagibis, which just brushed past the CNMI before wreaking havoc in Japan.

President Donald J. Trump approved the emergency declaration just within hours after receiving acting governor Arnold I. Palacios’ request in a letter sent to the White House as Typhoon Bualoi was headed for the Marianas.

The emergency declaration authorizes that Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts in case the typhoon devastates the CNMI and to provide appropriate assistance for any emergency measures.

The notice from the White House states: “Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding.”

That means 25% of assistance cost will be shouldered by the CNMI government.

In a statement released by the office of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, he expressed his gratitude to Trump for the expeditious approval of the emergency declaration. “Thank you to the President, the White House, FEMA, acting [FEMA] administrator Pete Gaynor, Region IX administrator Bob Fenton, and deputy administrator Bill Roche, and our federal partners for acting on this expeditiously for our residents here in the CNMI as Typhoon Bualoi makes its way to the Marianas.

“We extend our appreciation to everyone at the Emergency Operations Center and our first responders in the field for your service. Marianas, please continue to make your final preparations and help one another,” he said.

Palacios expressed a similar sentiment.

“Our hardworking first responders continue their pre-storm assessments and preparations at the Emergency Operations Center and out in the field as Typhoon Bualoi continues its current track. We ask our residents to continue their preparations and monitor our updates,” Palacios said.

In its 11:30am bulletin on Typhoon Bualoi, the CNMI Emergency Operations Center noted that, based on projections, the CNMI could expect wind speeds of up to 74 mph last night up to this morning.

A typhoon watch had been declared for Rota, and the EOC noted that if Bualoi deviates from projections, it would bring damaging wind speeds of 39 mph or more early Monday evening.

As of 11am yesterday, Palacios declared Typhoon Condition 2 for Saipan and Tinian, Typhoon Condition 3 for Rota, and Tropical Storm Condition for Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan.