Over 200 Cebu families affected by Verbena floods

More than 200 families were affected by flooding in Carcar City and Barili, Cebu, following heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Depression Verbena.

According to a report by Fe Marie Dumaboc on 24 Oras on Tuesday, floodwaters swept through Barangay Poblacion in Carcar early in the morning after continuous downpour from the storm.

Water overflowed at Nellas Bridge, inundating the national highway and nearby communities.

GMA Regional TV crews also saw residents cleaning their homes after the water subsided. Several houses in Poblacion II were submerged at the height of the flooding.

Authorities confirmed that an 18-year-old drowned while fishing along a river that had overflowed.

Another 18-year-old companion was rescued safely, according to the Carcar City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).

Initial data from the city government showed that over 100 families—or more than 400 individuals—were affected. No additional fatalities or injuries were reported as officials had carried out preemptive evacuations.

In Barili town, 126 families across six barangays were affected after the Sta. Ana River breached its banks.

“Although nasa highway lang, hindi talaga inasahan ang pagbaha dahuil sa previous na mga bagyo, hindi ganun klataas ang baha. So hindi sila tumango sa preemptive evacuation,” said Ritchel Montemayor, Barilo Municipal DRRMO head.

(Although it was just on the highway, the flooding was not really expected because during previous typhoons, the water did not rise this high. That’s why they refused preemptive evacuation.)

The storm also claimed animal lives and damaged vehicles.

A resident raised concern as their area has no drainage for the flood to subside.

The Cebu Provincial DRRMO is looking into the total damage caused by Verbena in the area.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/MCG, GMA Integrated News