Every year, the Philippines has approximately 20 typhoons enter the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility). This year had been a very mild tropical season, occasional rains, but only a couple of very mild storms. All of that changed last Friday night when Tropical Storm Ondoy decided Manila was ready for a visit.
When I hear news about approaching storms, I have a tendancy to start tracking them and watching their progress. I guess I started doing this when I was still young. You see, I am originally from McAlester, Oklahoma, so I am no stranger to severe weather. Oklahoma is famous (or infamous) for another type of severe weather occurrence know as a tornado. Tornados can be very strong and destructive, but normally very brief and sudden. I have seen distant funnel clouds, but never face-to-face with their fury. Typhoons are neither brief, nor sudden.
So, when I heard Ondoy was headed this way, I started following the storm, in hopes that with advanced warning, we could prepare ourselves and at least ensure our children are safe at home with us. This particular Friday, our son Angelo was on his school field trip in Tagatay. So, I was very concerned for their safety, but they arrived safe and sound at around 9 pm, as the storm was first entering land over Polillo Island in the Quezon Province. I monitored the storm awhile longer and we went to bed, sleeping soundly with no idea what would the next day would have in store for us…
Being a Saturday, I slept in a little later than usual. I think I woke up at around 10 am. We were planning to go to the Wave Ballroom for Paulyn’s sister’s lucheon. Her fiance’s family was arriving from Laguna to ask the family for her hand in marriage. This is a Filipino trandition, especially when the family member getting married is a girl.
As soon as I got moving around and had my first cup of coffee (nothing happens until I have my coffee), I asked Paulyn if we were still going, considering the storm. As far as she knew, yes, we were still going. I came to my computer to check the satellite images of the storm and to my surprise, the storm was right on top of the city. So, I went downstairs to ask Jonas, my brother-in-law if he had spoken with Mommy (my mother-in-law) and OMG! water was already coming into the garage.
We called Mommy and asked how she was and to tell her the road was flooded. By the time I could hang up the phone and go downstairs again, water was already starting to enter the 1st floor of the house. Luckily, we live on the 2nd floor, so we were at least dry and safe … for the time being, anyway. Due to electical safety issues, we shut down power to the house and waited upstairs for the rain to stop.
Well, we waited at least 3 hours for the rain to stop! The water level rose up to waist high downstairs and at least 8 ft deep in the street. It was unbelievable…
But, the storm did finally pass, leaving in it’s path at least 100 dead. Today there are reports that there are many, many more dead in Metro Manila alone.
Here are a few images taken by us during the storm. Keep in mind, these are very mild compared to most of the city.
Holy Spirit Drive
Holy Spirit Drive
Holy Spirit Drive
Holy Spirit Drive
Mercury Drugstore
Holy Spirit Drive
If you want to see some very alarming videos, simply go to Youtube and search for “Ondoy”.
At the time of this posting, there are 2 more storms slowly approaching the Philippines. Heaven forbid they make it to Manila…
UPDATE – Here are a few more pictures
I think this is the Marcos Highway in Marikina City
Desperately trying to reach safety
Finding safety in the electrical wires
Everywhere this was the scene...
Streets became rivers in Metro Manila
Knee deep flood waters were the rule in almost the entire city
Their roof became their porch
How do you describe this...
Unbelievable...reminds me of Katrina
Despair...
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