Obama Declares Disaster for Typhoon-Devastated Saipan
President Barack Obama has declared the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands a disaster area and is ordering federal aid to help the U.S. territory in the aftermath of a destructive typhoon.
The White House on Thursday announced the disaster declaration for Typhoon Soudelor, which destroyed homes, toppled trees and snapped utility poles over the weekend on the 48-square-mile island of Saipan.
Damage surveys were ongoing, but the commonwealth remained without electricity and running water, and residents were rationing fuel.
Most major roadways have been cleared of uprooted trees and debris, Saipan resident Glen Hunter said.