May 4, 2026 (Various sources on Facebook) — Recovery is still underway for the Ports of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands was directly hit by the strongest storm so far of 2026 — months before peak typhoon season.
Photo above: A Night of Prayer and Remembrance for the Crew of the Cargo Vessel Mariana (Photo from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa)
The typhoon flooded homes, ripped roofs off of houses, and lingered for more than two days, forcing families to shelter without electricity, cell service, or running water as they waited for the worst to pass.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku formed southeast of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI, and Guam, two U.S. territories that make up the Mariana Islands archipelago in the western Pacific. It rapidly grew to a Category 5, 185-mph monstrosity. First, the storm hit Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia, where it left one person dead and one fisher missing at sea. It then passed north of Guam, which suffered flooding from tropical storm winds, before hitting the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the CNMI, following a similar path as Super Typhoon Yutu eight years ago, which destroyed thousands of homes and forced children to go to school in tents.
Updates as of May 4, 2026:
- The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have partnered to remove debris from main roads and right of ways.
- A Survivor Recovery Center is set to open on May 6 on Saipan. Residents of Saipan who need assistance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance applications, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, American Red Cross financial recovery aid, or Disaster Unemployment Assistance through the CNMI Department of Labor can visit the SRC. Locations for Tinian and Rota will be announced in the coming days.
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In response to Sinlaku, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, has launched Care for Humanity relief operations across the affected areas. Hundreds of residents received care packages containing food, water, and essential supplies — delivered by volunteers mobilized with unity and urgency.
- On Day 22 (May 4) of recovery:
- The Tinian airport is again without power after issues with its FEMA generator, while the Port of Saipan has installed a backup generator and is assessing dock lights for night operations, the Commonwealth Ports Authority said in its 19th Sinlaku update Monday afternoon.
- Saipan Airport:
- The Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport continues to support daily daytime flights on United Airlines, Micronesian Air Cargo and Connection Services, or MACS, and Star Marianas Air between Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota only, CPA said. The airport is being powered by Generators 1 and 2 and has limited running water.
- Flights remain limited to daytime operations due to damage to navigational aids, CPA said. Federal Aviation Administration representatives are on island assessing damage to the navaids and the Air Traffic Control Tower. Parts are on order but may take time to arrive on island.
- Staff from the Guam International Airport Authority are providing additional assistance assessing the apron and taxiway lights, runway signs and miscellaneous items around the terminal buildings.
- All six loading bridges sustained damage. Jetway 2 is now operational and Jetway 6 is being repaired. Two stair-carts will be used as backup, increasing enplaning and deplaning capacity to three.
- Perimeter fence repairs are 45% complete. Phase 2 will fabricate chain link gates for all three terminal gates.
- Bank of Guam’s ATM at the Saipan Airport remains inoperable.
- Tinian Airport:
- Tinian Airport remains open for humanitarian flights only, with daytime operations only, CPA said. The Tinian Airport is again without power due to issues with its FEMA generator.
- Rota Airport:
- Rota Airport is open to receive flights, CPA said.
- Seaports:
- The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered a suspension of all cargo delivery loading and discharge at the commercial berths at Rota West Harbor due to potential hazards at Berths 1 and 2, CPA said.
- The Port of Tinian moved to Port Heavy Weather Condition WHISKEY at 12 p.m. Monday, the agency said. The port remains open for commercial traffic and cargo operations without restrictions.
- The Port of Saipan is open for commercial traffic and cargo operations without restrictions, with all cargo operations conducted at the discretion and under the coordination of Saipan Stevedore Company and the vessel agent.
- The backup generator at the main port has been installed, CPA said. Assessments to the dock lights are underway to see if they are conducive for night operations.
