News - Northern Mariana Islands

Following the passage of Super Typhoon Bavi through Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on July 6, regional emergency officials are warning businesses and public leadership across the Marianas to prepare for a prolonged tropical cyclone season driven by a strong El Niño pattern.

OLEAI, Saipan — The Northern Marianas Sports Association is banking on upgraded sports facilities — led by continued improvements at the Oleai Sports Complex — to transform the commonwealth into a larger sports tourism destination, attracting more international athletes, competitions and overseas training camps while creating new opportunities for the visitor economy.

GARAPAN, Saipan — The Marianas Visitors Authority is doubling down on sports tourism as a key pillar of the commonwealth's visitor economy, saying athletic events not only attract international competitors but also generate hotel stays, restaurant sales, transportation demand, retail spending, and worldwide exposure that benefits businesses across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

As some residents throughout the Northern Mariana Islands three months post Super Typhoon Sinlaku and two weeks post Super Typhoon Bavi remain without power, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. shared that new materials have been received to aid in restoration throughout the NMI.

As part of ongoing Super Typhoon Sinlaku and Super Typhoon Bavi relief efforts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is constructing 18 modular classrooms and two restrooms at the Northern Marianas College.

Regional leaders, government officials, and industry executives gathered at the Guam International Airport Authority on Wednesday, July 22 for the inaugural session of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Working Group, driving a unified regional effort to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines.

GTA contributed to relief efforts in support of the Mayor’s Council of Guam, donating 60 cases of water and gas cards for fuel to aid Rota’s ongoing recovery.

A regional tropical cyclone formation alert has been issued as a developing weather disturbance northwest of Yap threatens to strengthen the seasonal monsoon across western Micronesia and the Mariana Islands.

Telecom providers across the Marianas are approaching the final hurdles of mobile, cable, internet, and equipment restoration as companies continue to have technicians deployed following Super Typhoon Bavi.

The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands has officially reopened the ports of Rota and Tinian to commercial maritime traffic and cargo operations after resetting Port Heavy Weather Condition (PHWC) WHISKEY.