Timeline

The incident period for Super Typhoon Bavi in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was July 4, 2026, through July 12, 2026. FEMA declared a major disaster for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to Super Typhoon Bavi under declaration DR-4931-MP on August 3, 2026.

What's New

The Northern Mariana Islands have experienced multiple super typhoons in 2026, including Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April and Super Typhoon Bavi in July, both triggering separate federal disaster declarations. FEMA's disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi includes specific interest rates for disaster loans, such as 2.875% for homeowners without credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for economic injury loans for businesses without credit available elsewhere.

Super Typhoon Bavi caused widespread damage to Rota, with over 50% of structures affected, according to reports prior to the federal disaster declaration. As of late July 2026, 81% of Saipan customers had power restored following Super Typhoon Bavi, with 93% of Tinian customers restored, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Commission.

The federal disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi references specific loan numbers: 217438 for physical damage and 217440 for economic injury, as documented in the Federal Register. FEMA's individual assistance program for Super Typhoon Bavi explicitly states that aid is not a replacement for insurance and is intended to address essential disaster-related needs.

How Sources Differ

FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that FEMA declared a major disaster for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to Super Typhoon Bavi under declaration DR-4931-MP, while reliefweb.int reported that FEMA's disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi includes specific interest rates for disaster loans, such as 2.875% for homeowners without credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for economic injury loans for businesses without credit available elsewhere.

FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that FEMA declared a major disaster for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to Super Typhoon Bavi under declaration DR-4931-MP, while reliefweb.int reported that Super Typhoon Bavi caused widespread damage to Rota, with over 50% of structures affected, according to reports prior to the federal disaster declaration.

FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that FEMA declared a major disaster for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to Super Typhoon Bavi under declaration DR-4931-MP, while reliefweb.int reported that as of late July 2026, 81% of Saipan customers had power restored following Super Typhoon Bavi, with 93% of Tinian customers restored, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Commission.

FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that the incident period for Super Typhoon Bavi in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was July 4, 2026, through July 12, 2026, while reliefweb.int reported that as of late July 2026, 81% of Saipan customers had power restored following Super Typhoon Bavi, with 93% of Tinian customers restored, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Commission.

Reliefweb.int reported that FEMA's disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi includes specific interest rates for disaster loans, such as 2.875% for homeowners without credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for economic injury loans for businesses without credit available elsewhere, while FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by Super Typhoon Bavi in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Reliefweb.int reported that FEMA's disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi includes specific interest rates for disaster loans, such as 2.875% for homeowners without credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for economic injury loans for businesses without credit available elsewhere, while FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that the disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi was issued on August 3, 2026.

Reliefweb.int reported that Super Typhoon Bavi caused widespread damage to Rota, with over 50% of structures affected, according to reports prior to the federal disaster declaration, while FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by Super Typhoon Bavi in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Reliefweb.int reported that Super Typhoon Bavi caused widespread damage to Rota, with over 50% of structures affected, according to reports prior to the federal disaster declaration, while FEMA Disaster Declaration DR-4931-MP stated that the disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi was issued on August 3, 2026.

Why It Matters

The declaration unlocks federal resources for a territory that has faced repeated severe weather events in 2026. Super Typhoon Bavi was the second violent typhoon of the season to affect the Mariana Islands, following Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April, which also triggered a federal disaster declaration.

The assistance addresses essential needs for residents and businesses, with specific loan provisions outlined in the Federal Register. The program explicitly notes that aid is not a replacement for insurance, providing a structured financial response to the widespread structural damage reported on Rota and power disruptions across Saipan and Tinian.