The United States President Barack Obama has signed a major disaster declaration for the Northern Marianas.
It will free up federal funds to help meet immediate emergency needs following the destruction caused by Typhoon Soudelor.
The CNMI will also now be eligible for federal funding to assist with debris removal, to provide aid to individuals in need, to help rebuild power, water and other public infrastructure, and for hazard mitigation projects.
An aerial view of Saipan after Typhoon Soudelor. Photo: Facebook
In his request for disaster declaration, the acting governor Ralph Torres puts the damage to the CNMI from the typhoon at $US20 milllion dollars.
The last Presidential disaster declaration for the Northern Marianas, following Typhoon Nabi in 2005, was signed two months after that storm.