Almost 30K families affected by Wilma; over 9K individuals evacuated —OCD

The number of families affected by Tropical Depression Wilma reached almost 30,000 and over 3,000 families were evacuated, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 said Sunday.

"May preemptive evacuation tayo ng 3,164 families with 9,614 persons. Pero may mga affected na tayo na 29,960 families converting to 103,001 persons with 123 barangays. Ito 'yung mga pinalikas at 'yung iba naka-experience ng mga light na pagbaha," OCD Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) officer-in-charge Director Rey Gozon said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We had preemptive evacuation of 3,164 families with 9,614 persons. But those affected were 29,960 families converting to 103,001 persons with 123 barangays. These were those who were asked to evacuate and those who experienced light flooding.)

Gozon said the evacuees will not be allowed to go back home until authorities are convinced they will be safe.

"Papatapusin muna natin ang bagyo. Hindi natin sila pauuwiin unless ma-ensure nating wala nang paparating na malakas na ulan," he said.

(We will let the tropical depression pass first. We will not allow them to go home until we are sure there won't be any more incoming heavy rains.)

Gozon said they are also focusing on conducting preemptive evacuation in areas prone to flood and landslides.

"'Yan ang tinutukan natin na magkaroon ng preemptive evacuation, 'yung mga kababayan natin na nasa along flood- and landslide-prone areas," he said.

(That's what we are focusing on, to have preemptive evacuation for our countrymen along flood- and landslide-prone areas.)

So far they have not received any request from local government units (LGUs) for additional assistance, Gozon said.

No complaint was received too regarding the distribution of relief goods in affected areas.

"Maganda naman ang pamamalakad ng local DRRMCs (disaster risk reduction and management councils)," Gozon added.

(The process being done by local DRRMCs is good.)

Gozon reminded the public that sailing and other water activities are not allowed due to Wilma. Sea trips area also prohibited at this time.

On Saturday morning, Gozon said Eastern Visayas has had light rains only so far.

"Based naman sa monitoring natin kanina at kagabi until ngayong umaga, upon landfall sa Hilabaan (Island) sa Dolores (Eastern Samar), wala naman silang masyadong naramdaman doon. Nagkaroon lang sila ng mga light rains," he said.

(Based on our monitoring last night until this morning, upon (Wilma's) landfall over Hilabaan in Dolores, the residents were not that affected much. They just had light rains.)

"Ngayong umaga — na-monitor natin ito mula 11 (p.m.) until 2:00 (a.m.) — ito po ang situation doon sa Eastern Samar. Pagdating naman ngayong umaga mga bandang alas-sais, ang bagyo ay nasa bandang may Calbayog na. As of this time po, cloudy skies lang sila," Gozon said.

(This morning — we monitored from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. — this is the situation in Eastern Samar. At around 6 a.m., the tropical depression was over Calbayog. As of this time, they have cloudy skies.)

"Kaninang madaling araw, medyo nag-light rains. Pero ngayong umaga, makulimlim na lang ang panahon nila doon," he added.

(Very early this morning, they had light rains. But later this morning, it was cloudy.)

Flood

Some areas got flooded on Saturday due to Wilma, according to a report on 24 Oras Weekend.

In the municipality of General MacArthur in Eastern Samar, knee-deep flood was reported in some areas. Residents had to use a rope to cross a street.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said 10 barangays were flooded due to Wilma.

"Catch basin kasi nasa baba siya at napapalibutan siya ng mga creeks, atsaka mayroong malaking ilog. So parang nagsasalubong 'yung dalawang creek at ilog," the MDRRMO official said.

(It is a catch basin because it is in a lower area and is surrounded by creeks. And there is a big river. So the two creeks and river meet.)

The flooding has since subsided in General MacArthur.

Meanwhile, in Llorente, Eastern Samar, five barangays were flooded when a river overflowed its banks.

In Borongan, Eastern Samar, heavy rains poured on Friday. The LGU had relief goods and rescue personnel on standby.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said 23 barangays are flood-prone.

The CDRRMO thus made an appeal to residents to heed the order of authorities to ensure their safey.

Meanwhile, flooding was also reported in some areas in Legazpi City, Albay and in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur.

In Biliran, rescuers helped a motorist when his car almost fell into the river.

In Balamban, Cebu, a landslide was reported, while heavy rains were experienced in Tawi-Tawi.

Some residents were also evacuated in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

TCWS

Sixteen areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Sunday, PAGASA said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

Latest available data showed that the center of Wilma was estimated to be located over the coastal waters of Almagro, Samar, it added.

Wilma is moving west northwestward at 15 km/h, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 60 k/h.

The tropical depression is expected to traverse Southern Luzon and Visayas on Sunday before emerging over Sulu Sea, where it may weaken into a low pressure area. —KG, GMA Integrated News