BY DANIEL M. PEREZ
Journal Staff
CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power and water facilities on April 26, to conduct preliminary damage assessments following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. These evaluations are a critical step in validating the severity of the impact and determining eligibility for federal assistance to rebuild a more resilient infrastructure within the Northern Mariana Islands.
Infrastructure restoration is progressing across the NMI, with the CUC reporting that power and water services are 100% restored on Tinian. On Rota, water services have reached 100% restoration, while power is at 95%. Saipan continues to face challenges, with 73% of water wells operational and power restoration limited to partial service on Feeders one and four. Communication networks on Saipan are approximately 85% restored as IT&E and Docomo Pacific coordinate repairs. The Department of Public Works is currently clearing main arterial roads and has shifted focus to secondary routes to ensure the community can "build back better."
The Port of Saipan and Port of Tinian are fully operational during daylight hours, while the Port of Rota remains under restricted status. Central government offices are scheduled to reopen on May 4, for essential services. However, the Public School System has suspended classes until May 11, to allow for ongoing damage assessments at 20 campuses. A curfew remains in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all islands, though officials reported zero looting incidents to date.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved emergency relief for the NMI. All active Nutrition Assistance Program households that received benefits in April 2026 will automatically receive a 63% replacement of their monthly allotment to cover food losses from power outages and storm damage. Furthermore, a temporary waiver allows NAP participants to purchase hot, prepared foods from authorized retailers through May 27. These benefits will be credited to EBT cards within five to 10 business days without requiring an application.
The NMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in partnership with nonprofit organizations assisting with distriubtion, began distributing Meals Ready-to-Eat received from FEMA, and drinking water on May 1. Direct door-to-door distribution is ongoing in Kagman II and III, while islandwide Commodity Points of Distribution are available for drive-through or walk-up access. Joint FEMA-NMI teams have completed 60% of individual residential assessments. Currently, 273 families and 86 individuals are housed across three shelters on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Community support services have expanded to include free Wi-Fi at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Additionally, Gualo Rai Laundry & Dry Cleaning began offering free laundry services on April 29, providing detergent and a limit of two loads per person. A community meeting is scheduled for May 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kagman High School cafeteria, where FEMA and local officials will provide further updates.
In healthcare updates, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. reported 464 mobile medical visits as of April 29. This includes treatment for 243 illnesses, 115 prescriptions, 102 chronic diseases, 40 injuries, and six instances of wound care. Mobile clinics managed by Samaritan’s Purse and Team Rubicon are stationed at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Center and San Roque Church through May 3.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority announced that Call-A-Ride services on Rota and Tinian are fully operational. On Saipan, service is restricted to essential medical trips, including hemodialysis and clinic visits. The Fixed Route Blue Line 1B is running on a modified schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To date, the authority has provided 450 transports for shelterees, medical patients, and military personnel during the post-typhoon recovery period. mbj
Journal Staff
CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power and water facilities on April 26, to conduct preliminary damage assessments following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. These evaluations are a critical step in validating the severity of the impact and determining eligibility for federal assistance to rebuild a more resilient infrastructure within the Northern Mariana Islands.
Infrastructure restoration is progressing across the NMI, with the CUC reporting that power and water services are 100% restored on Tinian. On Rota, water services have reached 100% restoration, while power is at 95%. Saipan continues to face challenges, with 73% of water wells operational and power restoration limited to partial service on Feeders one and four. Communication networks on Saipan are approximately 85% restored as IT&E and Docomo Pacific coordinate repairs. The Department of Public Works is currently clearing main arterial roads and has shifted focus to secondary routes to ensure the community can "build back better."
The Port of Saipan and Port of Tinian are fully operational during daylight hours, while the Port of Rota remains under restricted status. Central government offices are scheduled to reopen on May 4, for essential services. However, the Public School System has suspended classes until May 11, to allow for ongoing damage assessments at 20 campuses. A curfew remains in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all islands, though officials reported zero looting incidents to date.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approved emergency relief for the NMI. All active Nutrition Assistance Program households that received benefits in April 2026 will automatically receive a 63% replacement of their monthly allotment to cover food losses from power outages and storm damage. Furthermore, a temporary waiver allows NAP participants to purchase hot, prepared foods from authorized retailers through May 27. These benefits will be credited to EBT cards within five to 10 business days without requiring an application.
The NMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in partnership with nonprofit organizations assisting with distriubtion, began distributing Meals Ready-to-Eat received from FEMA, and drinking water on May 1. Direct door-to-door distribution is ongoing in Kagman II and III, while islandwide Commodity Points of Distribution are available for drive-through or walk-up access. Joint FEMA-NMI teams have completed 60% of individual residential assessments. Currently, 273 families and 86 individuals are housed across three shelters on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Community support services have expanded to include free Wi-Fi at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Additionally, Gualo Rai Laundry & Dry Cleaning began offering free laundry services on April 29, providing detergent and a limit of two loads per person. A community meeting is scheduled for May 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kagman High School cafeteria, where FEMA and local officials will provide further updates.
In healthcare updates, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. reported 464 mobile medical visits as of April 29. This includes treatment for 243 illnesses, 115 prescriptions, 102 chronic diseases, 40 injuries, and six instances of wound care. Mobile clinics managed by Samaritan’s Purse and Team Rubicon are stationed at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Center and San Roque Church through May 3.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority announced that Call-A-Ride services on Rota and Tinian are fully operational. On Saipan, service is restricted to essential medical trips, including hemodialysis and clinic visits. The Fixed Route Blue Line 1B is running on a modified schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To date, the authority has provided 450 transports for shelterees, medical patients, and military personnel during the post-typhoon recovery period. mbj
