The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Super Typhoon Yutu beginning on October 24, 2018, and continuing.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Rota, Saipan, Tinian and the Northern Islands municipalities. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is available to the Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Rota, Saipan, Tinian and the Northern Islands municipalities affected by Super Typhoon Yutu. For a period of 30 days, assistance for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, is authorized at 100 percent of the total eligible costs.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures throughout the Commonwealth.
Benigno Bern Ruiz has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Ruiz said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.