Recovery efforts in the CNMI after Typhoon Soudelor were hampered over the weekend when residents were again forced to seek shelter from another major storm.
The acting Governor Ralph Torres ordered the shut down of all aid distribution points and disaster centres during Tropical Storm Goni.
A spokesman for Mr Torres, says the government didn't want residents queuing in the strong winds while there was still a lot of debris around due to damage caused by Typhoon Soudelor just two weeks ago.
Saipan residents queue for post-typhoon aid at the American Memorial Park. Photo: Mark Rabago
Ivan Blanco says residents are still recovering from Soudelor which destroyed hundreds of homes, damaged infrastructure and left hundreds homeless.
"People's nerves are still on edge after Typhoon Soudelor, but this time we were prepared. Everybody sought shelter. Our shelters' numbers went up by 100-some. I believe the highest point we had was 597 from Soudelor and then it went up to 680-some from tropical storm Goni."
Ivan Blanco says recovery efforts have now picked up again as the latest storm has passed.