The sun was shining today in Saipan. As the community start to pick up the pieces, KUAM spoke with Thomas Manglona, founder of Marianas Press and a former KUAM News reporter.

"We learned from the National Weather Service this typhoon, this super typhoon, was twice the size of Mawar, and it stuck around for more than 50 hours. And that was the number one thing are still traumatized, I went out to the community yesterday and today and they all told me the last super typhoon, Yutu, Soudelor, this by far was most devastating. This typhoon stuck around for awhile and people quite frankly still have anxiety and are traumatized understandably by that," he explained.

He provided an update a day after the destruction that Sinlaku left on Saipan. "In terms of power, more than 11,000 homes are still without across the Marianas. And I think the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation are putting up their generators up to pump water. Rota has water, but Saipan and Tinian has little-to-no water at all," he detailed.

He says the big question has been about the airport., saying, "That is access and aid that we're hoping comes in."

After our interview, the Commonwealth Ports Authority management stated they have begun recovery efforts by assessing the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport's runway and airfield. Executive director Esther S. Ada said "The safety of our staff as they make the assessment is foremost and we ask for the public's patience and understanding as we are working very hard, 24 hours a day, to have the airport operational to receive our returning residents, send our visitors home and receive humanitarian aid and outside assistance.“

Manglona said, "People want to know when help is actually going to land."

Everyone that Manglona has spoken to at the stores and out and about have all shared the same sentiment. "While we are beaten, we're not knocked out. And we'll come out stronger every time there's no shortage of hope . First sunlight in a while," he said.

The Typhoon Condition 1 has been cancelled on Rota, and recovery efforts are underway. "We're going to see some conditions cancel in the next 24-48 hours for Tinian, Saipan, and the Marianas," he said.

We have all seen the videos and photos of destruction, as he said, "We haven't heard of any major injuries, or casualties, of course a full damage assessment hasn't been done. Yesterday I was able to interview a firefighter who was refueling his truck, after one of the first gas stations open for first responders, and one of the first things he told me- he's so grateful to fuel his truck because now he can go on rescue missions. To go on those secondary and tertiary roads to rescue people who are trapped," he said.

And he closes out by saying, "You know, I asked everyone I interviewed today what they want people outside of Saipan to know - one person told me pray for us, and a second person told me be there for us when you can, so that's what i want to share."