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When Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August 2015, it affected more than just its human residents--the Saipan Zoo was also heavily impacted. None of the animals were hurt, but the facilities were damaged, and because the zoo is a private, for-profit organization, it was not eligible for FEMA assistance. Forced to close the zoo for safety reasons, owner Frank Aldan set up a GoFundMe account on Facebook to seek additional funds to make the necessary repairs. Through this effort, several of our team members found out about Frank's dilemma and volunteered their time to help him reopen the zoo. Since mid-August, FEMA volunteers have sent their Saturdays clearing debris, cutting trees and providing food to help the zoo recover. One of the largest trees on the island was on the zoo's property, and the typhoon blew it over. Here, FEMA's Stephen DeBlasio cuts a segment of the tree with a chainsaw while Ryan Brown looks on.

When Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August, it affected more than just its human residents--the Saipan Zoo was also heavily impacted. None of the animals were hurt, but the facilities were damaged, and because the zoo is a private, for-profit organization, it was not eligible for FEMA assistance. Forced to close the zoo for safety reasons, owner Frank Aldan set up a GoFundMe account on Facebook to seek additional funds to make the necessary repairs. Through this effort, several of our team members found out about Frank's dilemma and volunteered their time to help him reopen the zoo. Since mid-August, FEMA volunteers have sent their Saturdays clearing debris, cutting trees and providing food to help the zoo recover. One of the largest trees on the island was on the zoo's property, and the typhoon blew it over. The tree was so big that volunteers from our staff spent over four weeks cutting it into manageable pieces.

By eliminating any weak points in the roof construction, using plywood under the metal roofs, and by using better fasteners, metal roofs will stay intact during the heavy rain and winds of typhoons.

This completes CUC's order of 486 transformers from the Solomon Corporation.

CERT Saipan delivering the final 11 transformers to CUC.

The third flight of transformers is offloaded by Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands airport employees. These transformers are being delivered from Kansas to aid in the efforts to restore long-term power to Saipan after Typhoon Soudelor caused serious damage back in August, 2015. A total of 486 transformers will be delivered to Saipan by the end of the month.

Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., giving opening remarks at Kagman High School before a Hazard Mitigation lecture aimed at educating students on mitigation best practices. After Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August, our teams have been on the ground working with residents to help them recover and share information about building back stronger and more resistant to future typhoons.

Individual Assistance Specialist Paul Parsons Jr., gives an overview of the FEMA Assessment process to a class of CNMI residents.

Six bucket trucks arrive in Saipan, CNMI. Back in August, Typhoon Soudelor caused major damage in Saipan and the local government asked for these trucks to help with the ongoing effort to restore long term power to the island. Our job was to make that request happen, which were able to do by working closely with the local government.

Load path construction makes the house stronger by using metal fasteners to create a continuous connection from the foundation sill plate.

The NMTI students inspecting their models one last time. Their designs ensure the roofs resist the lifting force of winds.

Commonwealth Utility Corporation power employees load reconditioned transformers onto semi-trucks after they were delivered to the island from Kansas. These transformers were delivered to aid in the efforts to restore long-term power to Saipan after Typhoon Soudelor caused serious damage back in August, 2015. A total of 486 transformers will be delivered to Saipan by the end of the month.