Trump disaster declaration opens FEMA individual assistance for eligible Rota residents

President Donald J. Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the CNMI, paving the way for eligible Rota residents to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance and unlocking additional federal resources for recovery from Super Typhoon Bavi. The Aug. 3 declaration also expands federal support for government recovery efforts following the devastating storm that struck the island last month.

The declaration covers damage caused by Super Typhoon Bavi during the July 4-12 incident period. Under the declaration, Individual Assistance is available for eligible residents of Rota, while Public Assistance covers all categories of eligible work on Rota and emergency protective measures for Saipan and Tinian. Direct federal assistance on Rota will also be funded at 100% of eligible costs for 90 days.

In an earlier report from Marianas Press, Super Typhoon Bavi damaged more than half of Rota's structures, knocked out power and water across the island, and caused severe damage to critical infrastructure, leaving residents facing weeks of recovery before the federal disaster declaration was approved.

Rota Sen. Paul A. Manglona welcomed the declaration and thanked the president as well as those who assisted the island following the typhoon.

"On behalf of the people of the CNMI and the island of Rota in particular, I want to express our sincere gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for issuing a Major Disaster Declaration," he said.

"This action will make federal assistance available to help our people and communities recover and rebuild in the wake of Super Typhoon Bavi."

Manglona also expressed "Dangkulo na Si Yu'us Ma'ase to all our friends and families in the CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, and the mainland for all their help, donations, and prayers."

Rota Rep. Julie Marie A. Ogo likewise welcomed the declaration, saying it would provide much-needed help while noting that recovery efforts remain far from complete.

"I extend my sincere gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for approving a Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on Aug. 3, 2026," Ogo said.

"This declaration will provide critical federal assistance to help our families, businesses, and communities recover and rebuild."

Ogo also thanked Gov. David M. Apatang "for requesting this declaration and for his continued efforts to secure much-needed federal support for the people of the CNMI."

She cautioned, however, that "many residents continue to face tremendous hardship, and our island remains 0% power energized." Ogo said her office is available to help residents navigate the FEMA disaster assistance application process.

Rota Chamber of Commerce acting president Juan Pan Guerrero said the declaration was welcome, although it came weeks after the storm devastated the island.

"It's about time that FEMA relief arrive one month after Super Typhoon Bavi," Guerrero said.

"If power can be energized it will definitely reduce cost and more peaceful night rather hearing generators running everywhere."

Guerrero said he personally suffered extensive losses from Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, including spoiled food, livestock, fruit trees, vegetable crops, chickens, and damage to several structures on his property.

According to the federal disaster declaration fact sheet, Rota residents may apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA's disaster assistance hotline. The document also notes that Hazard Mitigation assistance remains under review and that additional federal designations may be approved following further damage assessments.