Tachogña Beach as seen atop the Tinian Oceanview Hotel in San Jose. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
A week after Super Typhoon Sinlaku tore through Tinian, evacuees sheltering at Tinian Elementary School are recounting how they fled for safety and what they found when they returned home.
"When we heard Sinlaku is coming, we prepared to cover everything, our window and door," Rogel 'Owen' Teope, 49, said.
"And we just decided to go to the shelter to make sure we are going to be safe."
"Then when we stay here, that's very, very, very strong wind," he said. "And when we come back to our place, our roof is gone, everything is wet and a lot of dirt inside the house."
Homes wrecked by Super Typhoon Sinlaku in San Jose, Tinian. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
Despite the devastation, Teope expressed gratitude for the steady flow of aid reaching the island.
"We're very thankful they're helping us so much. Very big help for our community," he said.
His daughter, Alicia, 17, said support from both local and international groups has lifted spirits.
"We're very much thankful… even local organizations… and those from outside the islands," she said. "At the end of the day… it's all those tiny steps that we take that make us come back stronger."
Jones Beach in San Jose, Tinian is littered with debris. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
For 24-year-old Wesley George Cepeda Teregeyo, the storm left his Marpo Valley home badly damaged.
"My home … it got devastated … the roof blown off, a whole bunch of trash and debris everywhere," he said.
He said early evacuation made a difference, especially after warnings the storm could rival Typhoon Yutu.
"Sinlaku was a little weaker than Yutu. But since it stayed here… it did way more damage," he said.
"Right now, it's just cleanup … helping out family members and communities. We're Islanders … I know we will get through this."
At the shelter, about 100 evacuees remain housed in classrooms, according to American Red Cross shelter manager Brenda Kamish.
"The shelter opened on the 12th, and it's going pretty well," she said. "We're feeding them three hot meals a day… taking care of whatever they might need."
"They don't complain … but we'd like to make them a little more comfortable," Kamish said.
She said no major illnesses have been reported and praised evacuees for their resilience.
