Getting Updates on the Ground
I arrived on Saipan Monday and went straight into getting a clear picture of conditions following the typhoon. While I have been in regular contact with CNMI and federal partners, seeing the response on the ground is different. I met with Governor Apatang and his team at the Emergency Operations Center, alongside partners from FEMA and the Department of War. From there, we visited key sites across Saipan, including Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, the reverse osmosis operation at PauPau Beach, the Kagman Community Center shelter, Northern Marianas College, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. These visits gave me a direct look at both the damage and the ongoing response efforts across our island. Below are photos and a recap from each stop.
We started the day with a briefing at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center with Governor Apatang and his team, along with federal partners supporting response efforts. Joining the briefing were Special Assistant for Homeland Security Clement Bermudes, the Governor’s Authorized Representative Patrick Guerrero, Defense Coordinating Officer Harry Elliott, and Federal Coordinating Officer Andrew Grant. The discussion focused on the current status of response operations and coordination across agencies.