Super Typhoon Yutu and Recovery Efforts in US Territories

One of the strongest storms to hit the U.S. since 1935 struck western U.S. territories Oct. 25, leaving more than 100 injured and one dead, according to KUAM News. Relief efforts continue, now with help from federal funds as a Major Disaster Declaration for Super Typhoon Yutu was confirmed Oct. 27. With such devastating damage, rebuilding efforts will include construction, which will likely trigger a larger customer base and much-needed attention in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam where the storm hit hardest.

Yutu comes just a month after Typhoon Mangkhut, another serious storm that hit Guam and the Philippines. Recovery efforts for Yutu are expected to be slow predicted Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Especially given the lack of Western media attention throughout the week of Oct. 25 and onward, construction efforts may be overlooked but are still necessary.

"This is the worst-case scenario. This is why the building codes in the Marianas are so tough," Aydlett said in a CBS News story. "This is going to be the storm which sets the scale for which future storms are compared."

When working with customers in U.S. territories, like U.S. states, all laws vary. Guam last updated its Mechanic’s Lien Law in 2009, repealing the 1962 law that was previously in place. To learn more about doing business in Guam and other U.S. territories during times of natural disasters, visit NACM’s Secured Transactions’ Lien Navigator.

—Christie Citranglo, editorial associate

For more construction news, visit NACM's Secured Transaction Services.