Super Typhoon Haiyan - Aftermath....

[Terpe]

Typhoon Yolanda leaves PH



Typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan) has left the country.

The typhoon, one of the year's strongest, exited the country around 1:30 pm Saturday, November 9, after cutting a massive swath of death and destruction through the Visayas Friday, November 8.

All public storm warning signals have been lowered.

As of the 11 am severe weather bulletin of PAGASA, the system is said to be moving west northwest at a speed of 35 km/h, on its way to Vietnam and southern China.

The bulletin also said Yolanda was located 549 kilometers west of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 210 km/h.

This is considerably weaker than when it made landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar early Friday, November 8, with speeds of 235 km/h near the center.

Rainfall estimates for the typhoon have also been lowered to moderate to heavy (5-15 mm/h) within the system's 400 km diameter.

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/specia...da-11am-update

[Terpe]

Tacloban devastated; at least 100 dead


A general shot shows houses destroyed by the strong winds caused by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at Tacloban, eastern island of Leyte on November 9, 2013

The outside world is slowly getting an idea of the extent of damage left in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan), with reports of roughly a hundred dead and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Capt John Andrews, Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), told dzMM that he got reports of roughly 100 people presumed dead, "and that's only the count of bodies on the streets."

"This report was relayed to us by our station manager so it is considered very reliable information," he told the station. The information was relayed by high-frequency radio to authorities.

Of the region, Philippine Red Cross chief Gwendolyn Pang told Agence France-Presse, "We have reports of collapsed buildings, houses flattened to the ground, storm surges and landslides."

"But we don't know really, we can't say how bad the damage is... hopefully today we can get a better picture as to the effects of the super typhoon," Pang added.

Guiuan, a fishing town of about 40,000 people on Samar, was the first to be hit after Haiyan swept in from the Pacific Ocean. Pang said contact had not yet been made with Guiuan.

She also said relief workers were trying reach Capiz province, about 200 kilometers west of Tacloban, on Panay island where she said most of the region's infrastructure had been destroyed.

Tacloban is Eastern Visayas' regional administrative center, and the capital of Leyte, a province of at least 2 million people.

Completely ruined' airport


A man searches for salvageable materials among debris of his destroyed house near Tacloban Airport, eastern island of Leyte on November 9, 2013

Andews also said, "According to the station manager the airport is completely ruined."

Andrews also told dzMM that clearing operations at the Tacloban City airport began at 5 am after airport operations there were completely down. "The news I received is there was nothing left of the Tacloban airport but the runway," he said.

Andrews later recounted the assessment of the airport manager to the Agence France-Presse, saying, "The terminal, the tower, including communication equipment, were destroyed."

Rappler's Rupert Ambil, who arrived at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport, reported a lack of public transportation for relief workers. This forces everyone to walk from the airport to the provincial capitol, he said. It also makes relief efforts and supply deliveries more difficult.

While communication remains limited and reports remain sketchy and inaccurate, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Rey Balido told dzMM radio in an interview on Saturday morning, they have gotten "initial contact" from their team in the city Friday night, November 8.

"They said the damage inflicted by super typhoon Yolanda was severe," he said in the interview. "They said there are barely any houses [left] standing."

Balido said a few buildings reportedly remain intact but that most houses were crushed by fallen trees. He said they are still trying to determine the exact number of casualties.

"Our team there said many died but they were unable to tell us how many," he said.

Call for volunteers


The government says it is now prioritizing providing relief to Tacloban City, which was badly hit by super typhoon Yolanda

The government expressed alarm on Saturday about the unfolding scale of the disaster.

"We are very concerned about the situation there," Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras told reporters, when asked about the deaths in and around Tacloban.

"The president is asking why there were still fatalities."

A journalist on the ground in Tacloban described chaos in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, with "a lot of wounded" from the typhoon and hospitals unable to treat everyone due to the number of injured. The reporter also noted "looting everywhere" as people in Tacloban scramble for supplies, such as water.

The city was previously cut off completely from all contact to the outside world, and government officials were at a loss as to the extent of damage in the city.

In a separate interview with radio dzBB, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras backed Balido's statement saying he also received reports of massive damage in Tacloban City, which led to the government's decision to send a C-130 flight with relief goods to the city.

"We are very concerned with the situation in Tacloban that is why (Social Welfare) Sec. (Dinky) Soliman is on the C-130 now flying to Tacloban," he said.

He also called for volunteers.

"We are at the stage of rescue and relief. Our priority right now is to bring relief goods," he said.

Military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ramon Zagala told Agence France-Presse that 15,000 soldiers had been deployed to the disaster zones. "We are flying sorties to bring relief goods, materials and communication equipment," Zagala said.

Government relief goods are on their way to Tacloban City as of posting time.

[B]Like a war zone[/B

South of the city, the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte – being used as an evacuation center – was described as being "like a war zone," a resident told Rappler Mover Derek Alviola.

One of the most intense typhoons on record, Yolanda whipped the central part of the country for most of Friday, November 8, and terrified millions.

Yolanda smashed into coastal communities on the central island of Samar before dawn on Friday with maximum sustained winds of about 235 km/h and gusts of up to 275 km/h, according to PAGASA. Foreign meterologists said it hit land with winds of 315 km/h, one of the strongest ever recorded. It is one of the most intense typhoons ever to make landfall.

Yolanda swept across the Visayas, destroying phone and power lines, as well as homes and vital infrastructure

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43285-...-tacloban-city

[Terpe]

Yolanda survivors recount onslaught, fury of the storm

In Ormoc City's Regional Trial Court building, Belenda Montebon, along with other evacuees, waits for much-needed help to arrive.

Outsiders have yet to enter the city, said Montebon.

There is no potable water, food, or electricity. "Naghihintay pa lang kami ng tulong if ever may darating na relief goods po," Montebon told Rappler. (We're waiting for help to arrive, if relief goods reach us.)

Cellphone signal comes and goes and with power still down, communication gadgets are running dangerously low on battery.

The 62-year-old could barely express what the devastating storm was like. "Sobrang takot kami, hindi ko mae-explain. Nagtatakbuhan mga tao kasi may mga nagco-collapse na building at walang kuryente," she added. (We were very scared, I couldn't explain it. People were running around because buildings were about to collapse and there was no electricity.)

Jed Cortes drove to Ormoc by motorcycle to check on people he knew. He described what he saw – "It looks like a wasteland here with crumpled houses and trees down."

Full-capacity hospitals

Journalists in Tacloban City, meanwhile, had to rush up the ceiling of the Oriental Hotel as flood waters rose to the 2nd floor of the 2-story building Friday morning.

On Saturday, November 9, the full damage to the Leyte capital became more apparent. Officials reported at least 100 dead in Tacloban, and journalists on the ground have seen "a lot of wounded." The number of dead is expected to rise as communication lines are restored.

Hospitals in Tacloban are at full capacity and are unable to treat the wounded.

As access to the city is still difficult, water supplies are running low. "There's looting everywhere," one witness said.

Yolanda is tagged as one the strongest storms ever recorded. Foreign meteorologists say Yolanda made landfall with winds of up to 315 kilometers per hour. State weather bureau PAGASA reported maximum sustained winds of 235 km/h and gusts of up to km/h.

Montebon said Typhoon Yolanda is the worst storm she's seen. "Ngayon ko lang na-experience ito. Pinakamalapit na yung November 1990, bagyong Ruping," she said. (I've never experienced this in my life. The closest would be Typhoon Ruping in 1990.)

Ruping, which hit the same region in 1990, left 508 people dead and over a thousand injured.

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43304-...ormoc-tacloban

[Terpe]

More than 50,000 evacuated in Negros Occidental


More than 50,000 Negrenses had been displaced by super typhoon Yolanda in Negros Occidental, but no life was lost, local officials said on Friday, November 8.

Provincial social welfare officer Liane Garcia said the super typhoon left 21,753 evacuees in 16 towns and cities as of 3 pm Friday.

In Bacolod City alone, about 31,000 had been evacuated, according to Mayor Monico Puentevella.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr, who went to the northern part of the province early Friday morning to check the extent of damage wrought by Yolanda, the cities of Sagay, Cadiz, Escalante, and Toboso were the hardest hit.

Trees were uprooted by strong winds, blocking major thoroughfares in Sagay and Cadiz cities. Flying roofs threatened those in residential areas.

With Yolanda leaving the country, Marañon said the provincial government’s priority are response, relief and rehabilitation efforts. He ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council and member-agencies to immediately start clearing up roads in northern Negros so as not to hamper the delivery of relief goods and services.

While the extent of damage to properties is still being determined, Marañon said that so far no reports on casualties reached his office. “It’s heart-warming to know that no lives were reported lost; only damage to properties," he said.

The governor advised residents near bodies of water to stay at the evacuation centers until authorities say it is safe to return to their homes.

The entire province was left with no electricity. Local electric cooperatives have yet to give any assurance when power will be restored.

Meanwhile, Puentevella said he has already recommended to the Bacolod City council to place the city under state of calamity

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43268-...egros-evacuees

[Terpe]

Land route from Manila to Tacloban now passable


A street in Tacloban City, Leyte

Relief goods may now be transported to Tacloban City, Leyte via land transport.

Land routes from Metro Manila all the way to Tacloban, through the San Juanico bridge, are now passable as of Saturday afternoon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas told ANC Saturday, November 9.

As of 5:30 pm Saturday, authorities were also able to clear the road to the Tacloban airport, allowing relief goods flown in via C130s and helicopters to be trucked to the city proper. Earlier, relief goods had to be flown inland via helicopters, Roxas said.

Roxas urged everyone to donate useful items, including food, water, blankets and tarpaulins, for the affected residents.

"Whatever is being brought in is not going to be enough," Roxas told ANC. "The enormity of the destruction is huge and it's hard to imagine and I dont know what pictures have been sent out so I'm sure people cannot imagine the destruction but it's really very bad."

Before the road to the airport was cleared, it took relief personnel the whole day to traverse a 15 kilometer-road leading to the location.

Despite the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda that left only a few homes standing in Tacloban, the San Juanico bridge that links Samar and Leyte remained intact, Roxas said.

As of Saturday afternoon, AFP detachments from Samar have been able to "punch through" the debris on the Leyte side of the San Juanico bridge. With the road cleared, vehicles loading relief goods could now reach certain areas in the Visayas hit by Yolanda.

"The land route from Manila is now open – Manila all the way to Bicol, crossing over to Samar, Catbalogan are open; all the way down to San Juanico," Roxas said. "So relief goods can also come by truck to Tacloban, Leyte."

Meanwhile, Tacloban Airport remains closed to commercial flights


What's left of the Tacloban Airport

Scouts on bicycles sent out to assess damage

Hours after Yolanda left the Philippines, authorities still had difficulty providing an accurate count of the total cost of damage and the number of casualties due to the lack of communication lines in some towns.

To help assess the situation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police deployed scouts on bicycles to get to hard-to-reach areas, Roxas said. Hopefully, through them, officials would have a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, and provide more information.

Additional police and military forces are set to be deployed to affected areas by Sunday morning, according to Roxas.

Asked how authorities are assessing which areas to prioritize for search and rescue, as well as relief operations, Roxas said: "I think it's not so much by choice but by circumstance here. If they're inaccessible, it's difficult to send a truck there to respond."

President Benigno Aquino III is set to visit Tacloban on Sunday

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issue...passable-roxas

[Terpe]

Tacloban hospital faces medicine shortage

[IMG]http://static.rappler.com/images/tacloban-yolandaph-20131109-15.jpg[/B]
Bethany Hospital in Tacloban City is in need of supplies, particularly anti-tetanus medicine

With power and communication lines still cut off, and water running low, doctors and nurses in the Leyte capitol have another brewing problem – the lack of medicine to treat patients.

The city was heavily battered by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) early morning Friday, November 8. In Tacloban City alone, at least 100 are believed to be dead, although unofficial reports say there could be over a thousand.

Eulogia Barcelones, nurse supervisor at Bethany Hospital in Tacloban City, told Rappler they are running low on medicine. Their pharmacy, she said, was either swept away by storm surges from Yolanda or ransacked by looters in the city.

Hospital staff are also in need of anti-tetanus medicine.



"Lahat inakyat namin," Barcelones said. (We brought everything to the 2nd floor.)

Chest-deep waters reached the first floor of the hospital, forcing them to move patients to the 2nd floor. Patients now stay inside private rooms or along the hospital corridors. Some patients have chosen to go home, said Barcelones.

In the 1st floor of the hospital, the injured are treated in makeshift stations. The hospital's Intensive Care Unit was also "washed out," Barcelones said.

Bethany Hospital also serves as temporary shelter for a family from Magallanes.

On Saturday, November 9, President Benigno Aquino III admitted that in areas without power and communication lines, it's difficult for the health department to make proper assessments. But the national government is preparing needed supplies.

Efforts will be made to collect data from affected localities

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issue...spital-yolanda

[stevewool]

just amazing,

[Terpe]

Palawan's giant cross gone in Typhoon Yolanda onslaught


Giant Cross in Coron, Palawan, before it was knocked down by Typhoon Yolanda on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013

Palawan province lost one of its top attractions in the onslaught there of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Friday.

State-run Philippine Information Agency reported early Saturday that the giant metal cross on top of Mt. Tapyas was gone.

"The giant cross on top of Mt. Tapyas is gone," the PIA Palawan unit said in a post on its Twitter account. The metal cross is usually lit at night.

Also, it said:

About 6,000 evacuees in Coron

It added that as of Saturday, many roads were not passable due to fallen trees and debris from roofs that were ripped off from houses.

"Yolanda leveled almost all trees in Coron Poblacion," it added

Source:-
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...ref=topstories

[Terpe]

UK sends team to assist those affected

The United Kingdom has joined the European Union in sending a team to areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, which wreaked havoc across central Philippines and other parts of the country on Friday.

British citizens living in the Philippines also want to play their part in assisting the affected communities,” UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad said in a statement on Saturday.

"Yet again the resilience of the people of the Philippines is being tested in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. With our expression of concern and sorrow for the victims comes our assurance of help," he said.

"A team is on its way from the UK to assess needs and then mobilize resources. The fortunate ones will be able to recover quickly but the most vulnerable people will need help to rebuild their shattered lives."

EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux earlier announced that Europe will provide humanitarian aid to families affected by typhoon, also known by its international name, Haiyan.

The super typhoon, one of the world’s most powerful storms in history, battered most of the Visayan region and other parts of the country, affecting thousands and left at least three dead.

"The Philippines has been severely tested by nature on several occasions this year. As it confronts yet another natural calamity I express my solidarity with the Filipino people and my deep sympathy with those who have lost their loved ones or their livelihoods,” Ledoux said.

An EU humanitarian aid team, he added, is already in the Philippines to assess the impact of the typhoon and find out how the EU can be most helpful to those who urgently need assistance

Source:-
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...ref=topstories

[Terpe]

Bantayan Island, 3 Cebu towns completely isolated


Three towns in Bantayan Island remain cut off

Though Super Typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan) is out of the Philippines, at least 6 municipalities in Cebu remain completely isolated, with all modes of communication cut off since Friday, November 8, and roads impassable to vehicles.

All three towns in Bantayan Island – Sta Fe, Madridejos and Bantayan – still cannot be reached. Bantayan Island is known for its white sand beaches and is a popular escape for Cebuanos and tourists alike.

Bantayan Mayor Cris Escario said at least 7 died in the town.

As provincial relief teams push north to deliver much-needed aide, Bantayan Island remains cut off because of big waves, the Philippine News Agency reported.

Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Neil Sanchez said he does not want to risk the lives of responders.

Bibi delos Reyes and a team from the Airworks Aviation Academy surveyed Bantayan Island and Daanbantayan Saturday, November 9, showing the extent of devastation in the towns:

The towns of Bogo, Medellin and Daanbantayan in northern Cebu still cannot be reached by Internet, telephone, radio or cellular phone, according to the Philippine Police Region 7 Office. News reports say roads in the localities are either damaged, flooded, or blocked by debris, making it impossible for vehicles to pass through and bring much-needed relief goods to typhoon victims.

In Bogo, water supply and power have also been cut off. At the height of the storm, 6 died while 35 are injured and two are missing, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 Office.


Several major buildings were unable to withstand the power of Yolanda. The town's Gaisano Mall caved in while the public market, bus terminal, two schools and San Vicente Ferrer Church sustained damages.

In Medellin, around 90% of houses are partially or totally damaged, estimated its mayor Ricardo Ramirez,

Regional police also said 6 areas in Cebu City suffered from landslides. At least 105 trees were uprooted in Cebu and Bohol, the regional police office added.

The Philippine Information Agency for Central Visayas is calling for donations of food, water, blankets, mats and medicines badly needed by evacuees in the 3 towns. Earth movers like dumptrucks and payloaders are also urgently needed to clear out roads and establishments.

Since entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on November 7, Yolanda – said to be the strongest typhoon this year – has decimated everything in its path, and caused destructive 17-foot-high storm surges and devastating landslides. Hundreds are feared dead. It exited the Philippines in the afternoon of Saturday, November 9.


Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/nation/43319-...ities-isolated

[Terpe]

Iloilo, Palawan town declare state of calamity


Coron, Palawan

At least two areas on Saturday declared a state of calamity after suffering losses due to Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Iloilo and Coron town in Palawan were among the areas hit hard by Yolanda when it battered central Philippines on Friday.

The Official Gazette cited a report from state-run Philippine Information Agency that the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held an emergency meeting Saturday afternoon on the matter.

It said the council passed a resolution declaring the province in a state of calamity.

The PIA also said the Coron municipal council declared a state of calamity as well.

Yolanda exited the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday afternoon and is heading for Vietnam.

While it was in the PAR, it made landfall six times in Luzon and Visayas


Source:-
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...elated_stories

[Terpe]

For Boholanos: After super quake, a super typhoon


Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Rowena Anhao has one fervent wish: Let “Yolanda” be the last calamity to hit Bohol.

Anhao and her two daughters Novem Grace, 6, and Princess Ariane, 9, have been evacuated twice in less than a month.

They were forced to live in a tent after their house in Loon was destroyed by the 7.2- magnitude earthquake on October 15.

Last Thursday, they were among those gathered by local officials and brought to the capital, Tagbilaran City, as provincial officials prepared for the passage of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

“I hope there would be no more calamities. We no longer have a house and yet we have been hit by a typhoon. I hope Yolanda would be the last,” she told the Inquirer.

Bohol still had a very long way to recover from the earthquake that killed more than 200 persons and destroyed or damaged both public and private buildings and thousands of homes.

In less than a month, it was hit by two typhoons: Typhoon Wilma last week, which triggered floods and Supertyphoon Yolanda on Friday.

The typhoon sent more than 40,000 people back to various evacuation centers and set back rehabilitation efforts in the province.

Among the evacuees were Anhao and her girls.

Anhao told the Inquirer that she still had to rebuild her house, which was destroyed by the earthquake.

She said they had been staying in a tent near the rubble of her home when they were asked to leave on Thursday because their area had several underground caves that could collapse if the ground were softened by heavy rain brought by the new typhoon.

They hastily gathered some clothes and blankets before boarding the truck sent by Loon Mayor Lloyd Lopez.

They, along with 26 other families, arrived at the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City about 6 p.m.

Anhao said her daughters asked her where they were going when they boarded the truck because they were still afraid of the aftershocks.

“My children were scared but I told them this would be over soon,” she said.

Anhao’s husband, Arthur, works in a factory in Manila but he would call her every now and then to check on them.

“Our house is gone. Our belongings are gone. As long as my children are okay, we will be able to overcome this,” Anhao said.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development office in Bohol said 42,435 evacuees were staying in 362 evacuation centers during the onslaught of Yolanda on Friday.

PSWD head Liza Quirog said the local government units provided food packs and relief goods to their evacuees.

“They have prepared well. Evacuees from the towns who came to Tagbilaran City like Loon and Catigbian residents were provided by the provincial government,” she told the Inquirer in a text message.

One person was reported missing while another was wounded during the typhoon, the PSWD said.

Raffy Pelonio of Aklan disappeared into the surf after the eight other crewmen jumped off a barge that had run aground off the town of Guindulman town on Friday. The seven other crew members were rescued along with the eight member crew of another barge.

Meanwhile, Bohol was still without power Saturday due to the typhoon, which destroyed more than 27 houses and uprooted 48 trees. Many of the houses in Bohol were either destroyed or damaged by the earthquake


Source:-
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/524245/...-super-typhoon

[grahamw48]

Thanks for posting all the information, pictures and updates Peter.

Knowing the Filipinos, they will still be smiling. What an amazing people, to be able to cope with all these natural disasters year after year. I take my hat off to them, and hope that they will receive the help, care, and respect that they deserve.

[Terpe]

I hope Brian and his family are all safe out there in Bacolod

‘Yolanda’ displaces 6,500 families in Negros Occidental

A TOTAL of 6,596 families in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have been displaced by Typhoon Yolanda as of Friday afternoon.

In Bacolod, 1,805 families sought shelter in 37 evacuation centers, a report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed.

Sixteen cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental initiated preventive evacuations, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported.

A consolidated report of the PSWDO showed the number of evacuees increased to 4,791 families from 3,026 early Friday morning.

The evacuees, who came from 103 barangays, were sheltered in 111 evacuation centers.

The PSWDO reported that Victorias City has the most number of affected families at 581 from 13 villages.

Cadiz City evacuated 565 families from 12 barangays; Kabankalan City, 689 families; Bago City, 469 families; Calatrava, 386 families; Himamaylan City, 355 families; Sagay City, 330 families; Isabela, 285 families; Ilog, 202 families; Escalante City, 254 families; Silay City, 211 families; E.B. Magalona, 191 families; Sipalay City, 155 families; Pontevedra, 81 families; La Castellana, 26 families; and Moises Padilla, 11 families.

PSWDO head Liane Garcia said they have delivered 3,025 family food packs to the affected families. Each food pack contains three kilos of rice, three cans of sardines and three pouches of noodles.

She added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development also sent 2,775 food packs for typhoon victims in Negros Occidental


Source:-
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lo...idental-312828

[Terpe]

Negrenses called to prayers, mass

TOP officials of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City enjoined their constituents to come together in prayers and attend a thanksgiving mass as Typhoon Yolanda spared the province and the city from devastation.

Public storm warning signal number 4 was raised in northern Negros Occidental, including Bacolod, but the so-called super typhoon did not make a landfall in Negros.

Yolanda made its fourth landfall in Bantayan Island, Cebu, skipped Negros Occidental, then made its fifth landfall in Concepcion, Iloilo.

However, the hardest-hit in the province are the northern cities of Sagay, Cadiz, and Escalante and towns of Toboso and Calatrava towns.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. called on Negrenses Friday to continue their prayers.

The governor also appealed to affected families staying in different evacuation centers not to leave unless advised by authorities.

Puentevella said it has been a miracle that Bacolod has been spared by the worst effects of Typhoon Yolanda.

The thanksgiving mass of the City Government will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s a miracle, the power of prayer worked,” the mayor said.

Moreover, Puentevella also called for more relief goods for the displaced city residents.

He said the City Government needs assistance from the private sector, civic groups and individuals to supplement the relief supplies they procured.

The mayor said that among those needed are ready-to-eat foods, blankets, sleeping mats, medicines, clothing and drinking water

Source:-
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lo...rs-mass-312827

[Terpe]

Thanks for posting all the information, pictures and updates Peter.

It helps me and the wife also Graham .........

[Terpe]

Negros Occidental plunged into darkness

POWER has not been restored in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Friday night even several hours after Typhoon Yolanda hit the province.

The power blackout were reported encompassed areas covered by Central Negros Electric Cooperative, including Bacolod, and areas in south Negros under the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative and in the north covered by VMC Rural Electric Service Cooperative.

“The whole province is without electricity although I am happy that there are no reports on casualties yet but damages to houses and properties reached unparalleled level,” Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said in a statement Friday night.

The governor added: “This is the worst and the strongest typhoon or calamity that had hit Negros Occidental to date.”

Marañon said the Provincial Government will focus next on response and rehabilitation efforts.

Eric Villaluna, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, said it paid off that the Provincial Government called for a preemptive evacuation two days before Typhoon “Yolanda” arrived.

The move prevented possible casualties or loss of lives, he said.

Villaluna said that even if the typhoon is already on its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, residents near the coastal areas or residing close to waterways, still should not take chances

Source:-
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lo...arkness-312826

[gWaPito]

It's not looking good. ..Brian's normally very active on Facebook....His family are there. .it's a worry

[Terpe]

Iloilo under state of calamity


A barangay hall swept by winds caused by typhoon Yolanda in Iloilo

The entire province of Iloilo was placed under state of calamity Saturday afternoon, November 9.

A Philippine National Agency report said the provincial board expects more casualties to be recorded as authorities assess the situation in the northern town of Estancia.

Acting Governor Raul Tupas said Estancia, a fishing municipality, was almost 100% destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan).

Earlier, The towns of Dumangas, Mina, Janiuay, and Zarraga in the province of Iloilo were placed under a state of calamity.

The declaration of a state of calamity allows the province to use its P70-million calamity fund.

In the entire province, 8 people were confirmed dead while one remained missing, with more casualties expected.

Meanwhile, the town of Sara, remains isolated as of Saturday afternoon after the flood damaged roads to the area.

A number of towns in the 5th district – including Carles, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Batad, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Balasan – also suffered the brunt of Yolanda.

Communication and power lines in these towns remain cut off as of Saturday afternoon, Tupas said.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, these are the number of families displaced across Iloilo:
•600 - Miag-ao
•110 - Guimbal
•344 - Zarraga
•841 - Pavia
•223 - San Miguel
•128 - New Lucena
•429 - Mina
•1,321 - Janiuay
•1815 - Dumangas
•3,140 - Passi city
•40 - Ajuy
•1200 - Carles

The provincial government of Iloilo is implementing a disaster preparedness and mitigation project called ReBUILD or Resilience Capacity Building for Cities and Municipalities to Reduce Disaster Risks from Climate Change and Natural Hazards.

It particularly planned to put in place mitigating measures that includ early warning systems in communities, operational contingency plans, re-engineered infrastructure, and zoning regulations based on risks

Source:-
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issue...te-of-calamity

[gWaPito]

Iloilo....that's where my wife's, mother's family all live.

[Terpe]

Iloilo....that's where my wife's, mother's family all live.

Hope they'll be OK

[gWaPito]

So do I Peter. ..I've offered help but no reply. It must be serious.

[alesypalsy]

We all here in hope,, such a sad state and i would also like to thank you for all the updates you are giving us terpe,
its an emotional time

[gWaPito]

We all here in hope,, such a sad state and i would also like to thank you for all the updates you are giving us terpe,
its an emotional time

Absolutely.

[lordna]

My wifes family are all from Tacloban and Basey, Samar...so far no communication so we don't know if they survived. A very worrying time.

Seen lots of pictures from Tacloban and its been extremly badly hit with not many buildings left standing it seems.

[gWaPito]

My wifes family are all from Tacloban and Basey, Samar...so far no communication so we don't know if they survived. A very worrying time.

Seen lots of pictures from Tacloban and its been extremly badly hit with not many buildings left standing it seems.

So sorry to hear this lordna, your wife must be going through with worry...we can only pray and hope

[gWaPito]

Super Typhoon Haiyan: Thousands Feared Dead

Sky News – 2 hours 2 minutes ago

• View PhotoSuper Typhoon Haiyan: Thousands Feared Dead

Thousands of people are feared to have been killed in the areas of the Philippines hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan.

The country's Red Cross says it has been told there are 1,000 dead in Tacloban and 200 in Samar alone.
A Red Cross spokesman said: "We now fear that thousands will have lost their lives."
The scale of devastation led one UN disaster official to compare the destruction to that caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The official death toll had reached 138 by 1pm on Saturday (UK time) but there are fears the eventual death toll will be "massive" after the tropical cyclone smashed through the country with winds gusting up to 170mph.
And there are growing fears for Vietnam which is now in the path of what has been called one of the most powerful recorded cyclones in history.

Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, head of a United Nations disaster assessment coordination team, said: "This is destruction on a massive scale.

"The last time I saw something of this scale was in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami."
Around 220,000 people died as a result of that disaster.
Gwendolyn Pang, Philippine Red Cross secretary general said: "An estimated more than 1,000 bodies were seen floating in Tacloban. In Samar, about 200 deaths. Validation is ongoing."

When asked how many had died in just the coastal town of Palo and its surrounding area, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said: "I think hundreds. Palo, Ormoc, Burauen... Carigara, they all looked the same."

Scores of towns and villages are thought to have been inundated with water after storm surges flooded low-lying areas, drowning many in their path.
TV pictures showed cars, trees and rubble from houses strewn across streets after they were picked up by giant waves and carried inland.
"Almost all houses were destroyed, many are totally damaged. Only a few are left standing," said Major Rey Balido, a spokesman for the national disaster agency.
About a million people evacuated because they were living in the typhoon's path have been returning to find out what is left of their houses.

Many of those who died are thought to have left shelters in an urgent bid to rescue valuables from their homes, unaware of the giant waves flooding through coastal towns.
Hundreds of thousands are thought to have been left homeless.

British team of humanitarian experts is due to fly out to the Philippines to help the UK Government decide what aid to send.
An appeal launched by the British Red Cross has already raised more than £100,000. US Secretary of State John Kerry said that America stood "ready to help".

Many of the most heavily damaged areas are still to be contacted because power and telephone lines are down, making the work of providing relief all the more difficult.
Captain John Andrews, a Philippines aviation chief, said he had spoken to colleagues by radio who had told him there were "100-plus dead lying on the streets" in Tacloban.
Tacloban is the capital of Leyte, a large island of about two million people that suffered a direct hit from Haiyan on Friday morning when the storm was at its strongest.
Leyte Island, about 350 miles south of the capital Manila, is one of six islands that was in the path of the super typhoon's centre.
An increasing problem for the authorities now is looting, with many of the survivors desperate to get hold of supplies from the shattered shops.
Thousands of police and army personnel are being flown into the affected areas to start relief operations and to uphold law and order.
At one point the super typhoon had been stronger than it was when it hit land, with winds gusting up to 235mph making it among the most powerful ever.

Meteorologists said that it had slowed to 100mph after passing over the Philippines but is still expected to be of typhoon force as it sweeps across the South China Sea toward Vietnam.
Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese have been moved away from coastal areas as authorities prepared for Haiyan to make landfall around 10am Sunday. Millions are thought to be living in its path.

Source ;-

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/super-typho...6.html#INTtdek

[gWaPito]

Typhoon Haiyan: In hard-hit Tacloban, children ripped from arms

By Andrew Stevens and Paula Hancocks, CNN
November 9, 2013 -- Updated 2216 GMT (0616 HKT)

Fallen trees litter the ground at the Tacloban airport in the Philippines in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan on Saturday, November 9. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and leaving more than 100 bodies scattered on the streets of this coastal city. Haiyan, one of the most intense typhoons on record, plowed across the country on Friday, with monster winds tearing roofs off buildings and giant waves washing away homes.


STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• No building in the city of 200,000 appears to have survived intact
• No communications satellite phones
• A couple loses three of their daughters; two found dead
• Red Cross may charter a boat to reach area

Tacloban, Philippines (CNN) -- No building in this coastal city of 200,000 residents appears to have escaped damage from Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Roads were impassable Saturday; all communications except for satellite phones were down; medical supplies, food and water were scarce; and there were reports of looting.
And that was far from the worst of it.
People who had walked, sometimes for hours, to the relief station at the Tacloban airport told stories of the human cost.
Children torn from arms
Marvin Isanan said three of his daughters -- ages 8, 13 and 15 -- were swept from his arms by the storm surge. He and his wife, Loretta Isanan, had found the bodies of the two younger children.
"Only the eldest one is missing," Marvin Isanan said through tears. "I hope she's alive."
A woman at the airport said she escaped the water by climbing onto her roof. From there, she watched bodies float by.
Authorities have only estimates of the deaths. Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, estimated that 1,000 people died in Tacloban and an additional 200 on the nearby island of Samar.
The airport now houses a makeshift morgue. Further inland, a CNN crew found a small chapel being used to house nine covered bodies -- five of them children.
Eastern islands first to feel typhoon's force
Samar province and Tacloban, in Leyte province, are part of the Philippines' eastern islands.
U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur made his famous return to the Philippines near Tacloban in World War II, wading ashore from the Leyte Gulf in 1944. The Battle of Samar was part of the ensuing naval battle in the Leyte Gulf, which ended with Japanese naval forces crushed.
The geography made the area the first heavily populated area to feel the force of Haiyan on Friday.
Death toll likely exceeds 1,000
Utter devastation in Tacloban
Super typhoon death toll rises
People unable to reach loved ones
Water levels reached the second story
The million people who lived along the coast, many of them in rough-built shacks, may have been worst affected by what some said was a 5-foot storm surge that spread through the city of Tacloban at the height of the storm and with devastating speed.
It receded quickly, leaving a path marked by pieces of people's lives destroyed.
Relief effort no match for need
Interactive map of the storm
The Tacloban airport was not ready to accommodate the landing of planes carrying aid, though military helicopters began ferrying in supplies on Saturday. Trees and debris blocked roads to the airport, further delaying the relief operation.
How to help
Residents lined up at the airport for food. But the resources available were proving no match for the massive needs of the people, some of whom scoured piles of garbage in the streets for food, water or even missing loved ones.
People were wading through waist-high water amid a landscape littered with overturned vehicles, downed utility poles and trees, all of which were blocking the aid effort.
The Philippine Red Cross succeeded in getting its assessment team into Tacloban but had not managed to get its main team of aid workers and equipment to the city, Chairman Richard Gordon said.
"We really are having access problems," he said, adding that he was considering chartering a boat, which would take at least 1½ days to get there.
CNN's Andrew Stevens and Paula Hancocks reported this story from Tacloban; Tom Watkins and David Simpson wrote from Atlanta

Source:-
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/09/wo...ines-tacloban/

[gWaPito]

Typhoon Haiyan: Thousands feared dead in Philippines


Police in the Philippines say they fear 10,000 people may have died in the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan.
The Philippine government has so far only confirmed the death of several hundred people after the storm struck.
But regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was told by the provincial governor of Leyte that there were about 10,000 deaths on the eastern island alone.
Hundreds of thousands of people are reported displaced from their homes.
Philippine Interior Secretary Mar Roxas says the scale of the relief operation is overwhelming, with some places described as a wasteland of mud and debris.
Tecson Lim, city administrator of Tacloban in north east of Leyte, told the Associated Press that the death toll in the city alone "could go up to 10,000".
Typhoon Haiyan - one of the most powerful storms on record to make landfall - is now bearing down on Vietnam, where tens of thousands are being evacuated.

Source

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24887337

[jake]

It's not looking good. ..Brian's normally very active on Facebook....His family are there. .it's a worry

The good news is Brian and his girlfriend are fine