News and Media: Disaster 3601

As of 11: 20 a.m. (ET) today, Typhoon Bolaven was 75 miles northwest of Tinian and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The storm is moving at 12 mph away from the islands. Bolaven will rapidly intensify later today and tomorrow into a Category 4 typhoon as it turns into the open ocean. 

As of 1 p.m., Bolaven has been upgraded to a typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. On its current track, Typhoon Bolaven is anticipated to pass north of Rota, between Rota and Tinian.

On Oct. 8, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved emergency declarations for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which allows for federal assistance to supplement the territories’ response efforts ahead of Tropical Storm Bolaven. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also spoke yesterday with CNMI Gov. Palacios and Guam Gov. Leon Guerrero to discuss preparedness efforts on the islands and offer support if needed.

FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to Guam to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Bolaven beginning Oct. 8, 2023, and continuing.