Guam’s mayors are continuing to serve as the front line of our island's typhoon recovery effort as they begin collecting the damage data needed to seek federal assistance. Nearly a month after Super Typhoon Sinlaku touched down on Guam, recovery efforts are still underway.

At Wednesday’s Mayors Council of Guam meeting, village leaders discussed disaster preparedness – and the continued push to support residents hit hardest by the storm. Representatives from the Guam Recovery Office under the Office of the Governor met with mayors to outline the first step in seeking federal disaster assistance through Federal Emergency Management Agency: the initial damage assessment.

Disaster recovery coordinator Forrest Chargualaf explained that the information collected now will determine whether Guam qualifies for federal aid.

“So, the territory has to do an initial damage assessment, which is this part right here. And once we have that data, it informs and prompts the Guam Recovery Office to work with FEMA to do a joint preliminary damage assessment," Chargualaf explained. "That’s when FEMA and the Guam Recovery Office goes and does a visit to your house and then they assess the damage. So once we have that, then we take that, we aggregate the data, and we create a letter for the governor to President Trump requesting for a major disaster declaration. If it is approved, then we get the monies.”

Mayors’ offices will serve as central collection points for residents reporting storm damage.

For now, officials say residents only need to provide four things: their name, contact information, address, and the level of damage sustained. Damage categories include affected, minor, major, or destroyed.

Officials say FEMA's primary focus will be on main residences – including essential utilities attached to the home, like generators. Sheds and non-essential structures will not count toward the assessment.

Chargualaf emphasized that submitting information does not guarantee FEMA funding, but it is a required step in the process. And Guam Recovery Office deputy director Jack Hattig also reassured mayors that residents will have a chance to provide more details later, when FEMA and local officials conduct on-site damage inspections.

Meanwhile, Mayor Council president Mayor Jesse Alig urged villages to stay ready year-round – stressing the importance of maintaining equipment, clearing drainage systems, and trimming trees before the next storm threat emerges.

The council also agreed to pursue legislative access to extend the use of $4.75 million in emergency response funding to help cover continued recovery needs, including debris removal, generator support, and future storm preparation.

And if your home or property sustained damage from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, officials are urging you to contact your mayor’s office to complete an initial damage assessment.