News - Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands’ fragile post-Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery is colliding with a renewed fiscal crunch, as the government proposes to operate on just above $100 million for fiscal 2027 amid declining revenues and mounting obligations.

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.

The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed teams to Saipan, to augment the team there and further assess 28 identified vessels affected by the storm.

With much still unclear in the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota, Gov. David M. Atapang nevertheless hosted the first press conference on April 25, at which he thanked President Donald Trump for approving the disaster declaration, and asked the people of the NMI to be patient.

CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed soldiers from the 249th Engineering Battalion, civilian personnel with the Temporary Emergency Power Planning and Response Team, and contractors to the Northern Mariana Islands to conduct damage assessments and generator installations.

CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — Multiple U.S. mainland media are reporting that the body of one of the six missing crew members from the Mariana cargo ship has been recovered. The ship was found overturned.

The APL Islander arrived in Saipan at 7 a.m. this morning – April 23 CHamoru Standard Time, becoming the first vessel to call at the Port of Saipan after it was officially reopened by the U.S. Coast Guard after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

CAPITOL HILL, Saipan — The 24th Northern Marianas Legislature scheduled an emergency session for April 23, to address recovery requirements following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

The Government of Guam has formally requested federal authorization to activate the Guam National Guard to support disaster response and recovery operations in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, according to an April 20 release. The activation is under Title 32 of the U.S. Code — ensuring Guam National Guard members can operate in support of disaster response with federal backing, the release said.

The Francisco C. Ada international airport in Saipan is open primarily for relief and rescue flights only.