One Month After the Typhoon

SAIPAN – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) was deployed to Saipan days prior to Typhoon Soudelor making landfall.

After Typhoon Soudelor impacted Saipan, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration on August 5, 2015 for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, making federal assistance available to aid individuals and communities in the recovery efforts for damages that occurred August 1-3, 2015 and appointed a Federal Coordinating Officer to lead the Federal team.

FEMA immediately started to mobilize its federal partners in support of recovery efforts.

Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and equipment supported the Commonwealth with secure and non-secure voice, video and information services to support emergency response communications needs.

Representatives from the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Preparedness, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) assessed public health needs and were prepared to support if necessary.

The US Coast Guard was on the ground in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to perform port condition assessments.  The Ports in CNMI are open to commercial vessel traffic and cargo operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was tasked with the assessment of water systems (potable, non-potable and wastewater) for protection of public health, preparation of a debris monitoring plan, and addressing non-industrial hazardous waste issues.   At the request of FEMA and CNMI, EPA has collected over 350 damaged transformers for eventual recycling.  EPA has set up a household hazardous waste drop off station and will be hosting weekend residential drop offs for household hazardous waste and white goods in upcoming weeks. 

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was mission assigned to deploy the following ESF#3 cells: the Temporary Power Planning and Response Team (PRT) and Advanced Contracting Initiative (ACI), the 249th Prime Power Alpha Company, the 249th Delta Company and USACE debris subject matter experts (SMEs) to conduct rapid assessments of critical infrastructure for temporary power requirements and assist FEMA with debris management technical support.

In just one month 7,934 homeowners and renters have been registered for assistance and over $12 million approved in individual aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since Typhoon Soudelor impacted the small island of Saipan.

The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center in Susupe has received over 3,500 visitors seeking assistance with their FEMA and Small Business
Administration (SBA) applications.

FEMA continues to provide resources through air and sea transportation including, commodities and power restoration needs such as generators and power poles.  To date: 99,359 liters of water, 71,136 meals, 396 cots, and 1,734 tarps of FEMA commodities have been distributed to the
CNMI government and survivors.

Commonwealth Utility Corporation (CUC) power restoration crews, USACE 249th Prime Power Battalion Delta Company Team, CNMI and Guam Power Authority are working diligently to restore power everywhere throughout the island. 

The Saipan International Airport and the seaport have both resumed 24/7 operations.

65 wells are currently operable with 5.3 million gallons of potable water being pumped into the system daily brining the distribution system to 51% capacity.  Intermittent water distribution is now available to 80% of the population.

Over 12,273 cubic yards of debris has been cleared from public right-of-ways.

Nine of the 14 Private Sector drinking water/bottling companies are producing over 75,000 gallons of drinking water per day, and that number continues to increase as additional Private
Sector companies get back on line.

USACE has installed 68 generators and is continuing additional assessments, installations, and de-installations as power is restored.  USACE has power experts from the 249th Prime Power
Battalion and Delta Team supporting critical infrastructure power requirements.

FEMA and CNMI are working closely together forming a unified effort in support of the citizens of Saipan. 

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.  To date the SBA has approved 24 loans totaling over $1.6 million dollars.

“Without the full cooperation of all our federal, commonwealth, private sector partners and the volunteer agencies, we could never accomplished as much as we have in this short period of time.”  Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. stated, “We will continue to work together as a team helping the residents of Saipan recover from the effects of Typhoon Soudelor.”

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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One Month After the Typhoon

FEMA Individual Assistance Disaster Aid Reaches $2 Million

SAIPAN – Homeowners and renters have been approved for over $2 million in individual aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since Typhoon Souder.

The tallies are likely to rise, as the federal agency continues to review applications for assistance from the storm, which made impact August 1-3, and caused significant damage in Saipan. More than 7,000 survivors have already been in touch with FEMA seeking help or information on disaster assistance.

Individuals and households on Saipan can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 directly. Multilingual interpreters are available at the FEMA registration number, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

They are advised to have the following information when they register:

             • Address with zip code

• Directions to property

• Condition of your damaged home

• Insurance information, if available

• Phone number where you can be contacted

• Address where you can get mail

• Social Security Number **If you do not have your SSN card, you can show a Medicare/Medicaid card, W2 form, or filed tax return.

A joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open at the Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center in Susupe to help individuals and families affected by Typhoon Soudelor with the recovery process. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates. Subject matter experts from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross will be available at the DRC.

Survivors are reminded to use disaster grants wisely, and those who receive funds from FEMA will get a letter outlining what those funds should be used for. They are intended for disaster-related needs. If the applicant spends the money on anything other than the purpose for which the payment is intended, no additional assistance may be granted if the need arises in the future.

FEMA also encourages survivors to start making repairs to their homes as soon as possible, and NOT wait for FEMA assistance or housing inspections. They should save receipts for any disaster-related expenses as those may be reimbursable later.

The FEMA housing inspections are ongoing. Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA housing inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection; you do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. For those who have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, they can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-483-4344 or 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Disaster legal services have also been made available for Typhoon Soudelor survivors. Disaster survivors facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer can call 670-234-7729. This service has been set up in partnership between Micronesian Legal Services Corporation, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and FEMA. The types of legal assistance available includes assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster victims, assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims, help with home repair contracts and contractors, consumer protection remedies and procedures, counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems, and counseling on landlord-tenant problems.

For more information on CNMI disaster recovery, visit http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4235 or https://www.facebook.com/JICNMI.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA Individual Assistance Disaster Aid Reaches $2 Million

FEMA Housing Inspections Underway – What to Expect

SAIPAN, CNMI – FEMA housing inspectors have begun assessing damaged homes of applicants who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage sustained in Typhoon Soudelor. The inspections began late on Wednesday, and applicants across Saipan will continue to be receiving inspection appointment calls in the coming days and weeks.

Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection, so registrants do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and consists of a general inspection of damaged areas of the home and a review of your records. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Unfortunately, disasters often bring out criminals who prey on the needs of disaster survivors – so beware of scams and scam artists.

“If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call your local law enforcement officials,” said Steve DeBlasio, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for the response.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

  • Photo identification.
  • Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (structural insurance, tax bill, mortgage payment book/utility bill).
  • Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
  • List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
  • All disaster-related damages to both real and personal property.

If you are unable to provide traditional proof of ownership/occupancy (such as tax bill, mortgage payment books, deed, title, insurance), you can get a signed letter by a local precinct representative to validate the physical location of a home/dwelling (a P.O. Box address is not sufficient).  Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • San Roque
    • Koblerville

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A FEMA HOUSING INSPECTION – Page 2

  • The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe
  • Shelters located at:
    • Kagman Community Center
    • Tanapag Headstart
    • Saipan Aging Center

Once filled out, please take the form to your local fire station. They will provide you with a contact number to reach your local precinct representative to validate.

If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive a letter or email outlining the decision about your claim.

Those who have suffered losses as a result of Typhoon Soudelor but have not yet applied for assistance are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Survivors can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.  Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

 

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FEMA Housing Inspections Underway – What to Expect