Typhoon Reming (Durian) Sweeps Bicolandia

430 are already confirmed dead while more than 750 were still missing in at least eight towns of Albay Province in Bicol as mudflows brought about by Typhoon Reming (international codename: Durian) rushed to the areas at 2:00 in the afternoon of Thursday, November 30, 2006. A total of 800,000 people were affected and more than 200,000 hectares of land were damaged.

It was very unexpected since the storm was only a tropical storm until just before it hit the Bicol region when it turned into a Super Typhoon with Tornadoes in the middle. Winds which reached gusts of 265 kph or about 165 mph tore through the region with 1/2 meter of rain, the highest amount of rain recorded in Albay since 1967, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The Lahar, (black sand) mixed with large boulders from Mayon Volcano was turned into a liquid death as it flowed down the mountain and into homes. This flowed further than anyone thought and buried several villages and towns on its path to the sea. The debris from the volcano created a whole new path to the river system. Everything looked different after just one day.

The towns of Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, and Sto. Domingo were the worst hit and completely devastated. At least 28,000 homes were destroyed. "98% of the homes in every town we passed through here had been severely damaged. Everywhere we looked there was damage, people sitting in the wreckage of their homes", according to Rev. Dave Phillips, head of the Nazarene Assessment and Disaster response team who initially went to the area.

From the local Nazarene Christian Academy, one whole family was killed except the father. They had climbed on the roof of their home to escape the flood but were swept away by the rushing flood waters while the father tried to hold the hands of his children. The raging water tore them out of his hands and he lost his two children and his wife. One week later, on Thursday, December 7, the wife's body was found. The children’s bodies had not been recovered until now and the husband can not speak yet due to severe shock sustained from his loss.

Kuya Andres, the school’s maintenance personnel and his family had a narrow escape from the Lahar flow. Living close to the river they could see the water rising and when it began to come up quickly in the home the father shouted for them to run. They swam holding onto electrical wires moving to one roof that was above the flood waters. Then seeing that the waters were still rising they pulled themselves across to another roof. They could see the lahar moving in, with roof of houses and large debris rolling down. They finally pulled themselves along to higher ground. They were able to escape but the lahar filled their home and destroyed it under 15 feet of black sand. All the homes in the area were filled with this black sand and the stench of death hung over the area while the father told me of their escape. About 100 yards away a team from Northern Luzon was digging for bodies.

10 families from the Legaspi Nazarene Church had their homes destroyed completely. These families stayed in the church with the pastor, Rev. Sulpicio Detalo Jr., until Wednesday of the next week. The local church lost part of its roof and the back wall of the church made from temporary materials after the last typhoon Milenyo (international codename: Xangsane) removed the same in September, just two months before Typhoon Reming. The wall of the parsonage was nearly collapsed but six people during the height of the storm held the wall against the wind for 3 hours. Several held umbrellas because they were afraid of breaking glass. A portion of the roof just above the wall was blow away until finally the pastor shouted, “Let's save ourselves!”, and they ran for a back room. Thankfully the walls did not collapse.

While the imposing Mayon Volcano, believed to be a radiant symbol of hope, still stands in Albay and still partly clad with green plants, it failed to do so many times now.  For one, life would be hard up since major farm crops like abaca or Manila hem and coconuts were destroyed and would not recover for at least two years. Rehabilitation of the million dollar damage is hoped to be seen in three to five years time. So in these trying times in the lives of Bikolanos (people of Bicol), we urge you to pray for them and support them in any way possible. May they see still the lasting hope that Job of old held on to.

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The Church of the Nazarene, through its Compassionate Ministry (NCM) wishes to continue the disaster relief operation in the form of rebuilding some vital infrastructures like schools and homes in Albay. We may not be able to completely rebuild the people and erase their personal loss but we can help rebuild the community and introduce the lasting symbol of hope in Christ.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration. All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified. To help follow these instructions.

• Note the Philippine Typhoon Relief account number is ACM1637
• On-line using VISA or MasterCard
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• OR In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
• OR in other contries contract NCM Asia-Pacific.
  

God's Promise over Mayon Volcano.

this post was filed under Around The Region on Dec 11, 2006