On October 08, 2023, a Declaration of a State of Significant Emergency was declared for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Accordingly, pursuant to the Commonwealth Disaster Price Freeze Act, codified at 4CMC § 5141-5144, a price freeze is hereby declared.
Shelters have been activated and will be opened at 6:00 p.m. today, October 9, 2023. Residents who need shelter assistance are asked to use the shelters closest to their homes. Residents are expected to bring their own bedding, food, and drinks in the shelter. No pets are permitted in the shelter unless the pet is a certified service animal. An ID should be presented upon entry.
(CNMI Office of the Governor) As of 2:00 pm October 9, 2023, Governor Arnold I. Palacios, in consultation with the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS Guam) Weather Forecast Office (WFO), has upgraded the storm declaration for Saipan and Tinian from Typhoon Condition III to Typhoon Condition II. Typhoon Condition III is maintained for the island of Rota.
Upon declaration of TYPHOON CONDITION II or I, Rota Health Center and Tinian Health Center will be CLOSED. Patients will be contacted to reschedule appointments that are affected by these closures.
The CHC Hospital, Tinian Health Center, and Rota Health Center emergency rooms will remain open 24/7 despite weather conditions.
(CNMI Office of the Governor) – As of 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, in consultation with the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office (HSEM) and the National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office (WFO), Governor Arnold I. Palacios has declared Typhoon Condition III for the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Governor Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang are urging residents to anticipate tropical storm or typhoon condition winds and rain over the next few days.
CNMI’s resilience and determination was evident during a visit from a representative from the U.S. Department of Education.
Governor Arnold Palacios was in Washington DC earlier this week to meet with U.S. President Biden, other U.S. leaders including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and heads of state from the countries that make up the Pacific Islands Forum, which includes 18 different Pacific nations.
“No pothole too deep, no road bump too high, and no challenge too great”
Community members now have better access to the northeast part of Saipan. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday morning, Governor Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Governor David M. Apatang, CNMI Department of Public Works Secretary Ray Yumul, and Federal Highway Administration-Hawaii Division Territorial representative Gabrielle Gersh joined members of the public to celebrate the official opening of the route.
Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang, together with Delbert T. Pua, Special Assistant for the Office of Youth Affairs, recently proclaimed October 2024 as Youth Empowerment Month. The proclamation was made in the presence of members of the Legislature, Cabinet officials, and community partners, all united in their commitment to improving the lives of our youth.
