September 28,2026
POHNPEI, FSM — Acting Governor Herolyn S. Movick has declared a state of emergency following heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding, landslides, and damage to roads and bridges in Kitti, Madolenihmw, and Nett municipalities.
Emergency Declaration 2026-02, signed September 23, says the damage has disrupted transportation and access to affected communities and requires immediate repairs, damage assessments, and other emergency measures.
No casualties had been reported at the time the declaration was issued, but the Acting Governor said damaged bridges, flooded and landslide-affected roads, and resulting transportation disruptions continued to pose risks to public safety, emergency response, resident mobility, and access to essential services.
Among the most serious damage identified in the declaration is to the Olopei Bridge in Kitti, which sustained major damage following the heavy rainfall. The declaration says immediate repairs are required to restore safe access.
The Kepine Bridge, also in Kitti, sustained extensive damage, including damage to nearby power lines and water supply pipes and sources. The declaration calls for immediate assessment and repairs to restore essential services and transportation access.
Nintok Road in Kitti was completely blocked by landslides and fallen trees, preventing normal passage and cutting access to affected communities. The declaration calls for clearing and stabilization of the road as well as repairs and restoration work.
In Madolenihmw, the Lehd Pah Bridge sustained extensive damage, including washed-out culverts and deterioration of the roadway and crossing. The declaration says conditions have made the area unsafe for vehicles and calls for assessment, restrictions on unsafe passage, and emergency repairs.
The Enipoas Bridge in Madolenihmw also sustained major damage that the declaration says compromised the structural integrity and safety of the crossing and created hazardous conditions for vehicles and pedestrians.
In Nett, severe flooding along Nanpil Road caused substantial deterioration and damage to the roadway, creating unsafe conditions for vehicles and pedestrians and threatening continued access to affected communities.
Movick issued the emergency declaration under Article 13, Section 9(1) of the Pohnpei Constitution, which authorizes the Acting Governor to declare a state of emergency and issue appropriate decrees to protect public peace, health, or safety during extreme emergencies.
Under the declaration, State agencies, municipal governments, and emergency personnel were ordered to take immediate measures to protect residents, including restricting or controlling access to damaged bridges, landslide areas, and other locations considered unsafe.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Pohnpei Transportation Authority, Pohnpei Utilities Corporation, and affected municipal governments were directed to coordinate efforts to restore transportation access as quickly and safely as possible, with priority given to routes needed for emergency response, essential services, and resident mobility.
Agencies were also ordered to conduct detailed assessments of the Olopei and Kepine bridges, Nintok Road, Lehd Pah and Enipoas bridges, and Nanpil Road. Those assessments are to identify immediate repair requirements, equipment and personnel needs, estimated costs, and any additional hazards.
The declaration authorizes agencies and affected municipalities to mobilize available personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources for emergency stabilization, repairs, reconstruction, debris removal, and restoration work.
An emergency response and recovery task force was directed to meet at 8:30 a.m. each working day for the remainder of the week to review conditions, coordinate assignments and resources, identify unresolved needs, and report progress on restoring access, assessing damage, and recovering infrastructure.
The declaration also requires participating agencies to maintain records of emergency work, personnel and equipment deployed, expenditures, damage assessments, and recovery needs.
Although the declaration specifically identifies Kitti, Madolenihmw, and Nett, its provisions can be extended to additional public infrastructure or communities found through continuing assessments to have been materially affected by the same rainfall event.
The state of emergency took effect immediately upon Movick’s signature and will remain in effect until it is terminated or modified in accordance with applicable law.
Copies of the declaration were ordered transmitted to the FSM President, Pohnpei’s delegation to FSM Congress, the Speaker of the Pohnpei Legislature, the Chief Justice of the Pohnpei Supreme Court, the chief executives of Kitti, Madolenihmw, and Nett, and other relevant government agencies and officials.
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