Tornado damages fishing boats, houses in Pagadian City

Published October 03, 2022 06:33 PM

Seven fishing boats and several houses were destroyed when a tornado hit three coastal areas in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur Sunday evening, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate to higher grounds.

Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co said residents of barangays White Beach, San Pedro and Sta. Lucia fled their homes fearing there will be a tsunami after the water level rose following the strong winds.

Co told the residents that state weather bureau PAGASA did not issue any warning or advisory on a possible tsunami.

Aside from damaged fishing boats and houses, the strong winds felled several lamp post and caused power interruption in various areas.

In a Facebook post Monday, the mayor also said the local government unit (LGU) had extended help to the affected barangays.

“The tornado that hit Pagadian City last night was a frightening experience for our people,” said Co.

“I want to assure our constituents that we have deployed all possible help and support to the affected barangays. Your LGU is constantly monitoring the situation on the ground and assessing the damage brought by this unexpected disaster,” he added.

Co visited the evacuation center in the city’s covered court and distributed food packs and clothes to the affected residents. He also ordered the local social development office to prepare for more aid in anticipation of more evacuees.

To recall, Pagadian City suffered tremendous loss of lives when an earthquake followed by a tsunami hit the city and its neighboring places on August 17, 1976.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA News
 

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