Typhoon spurs federal emergency for Northern Mariana Islands

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal emergency has been declared as Typhoon Bualoi approaches the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Trump administration approved the emergency declaration Sunday, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

The National Weather Service says the typhoon is expected to affect the archipelago in the Pacific Ocean late Monday. It has top sustained winds of 85 mph (137 kph) and is anticipated to intensify in the coming days.

The White House said in a Sunday release that the typhoon threatened the municipalities of Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and the Northern Islands.

Forecasters say the storm is generally moving northwest. A typhoon warning is in effect for Saipan and Tinian, where high winds are expected.