Driving Rota After Super Typhoon Bavi: Sinapalo to Songsong | NMI News Service

Five days after Super Typhoon Bavi's eye crossed Rota, Star Marianas Air employee Dre San Nicolas drives NMI News Service from the airport in Sinapalo down the coast to Songsong village. Along the way: downed power poles, sand across the coastal road, CUC crews clearing lines, $7.49-a-gallon gas, and the communication dead zone that has cut Sinapalo off from the rest of the island. Dre rode out the storm holding his window air conditioner in place for an hour while his two-year-old daughter slept. His back kitchen is gone, his village is running on generators, and his answer to all of it is the one you'll hear across Rota: "Home is home. There's no place like home." Recorded July 10, 2026. Read more Rota recovery coverage: https://nminewsservice.com Follow NMI News Service on Facebook:   / nminewsservice   Follow on Instagram:   / nminewsservice   NMI News Service is the CNMI's first all-digital news outlet, covering Saipan, Tinian and Rota with breaking news, weather and community stories every day. #Rota #TyphoonBavi #CNMI #NMINewsService #Marianas #RotaRecovery