MAYOR GORDON TELLS RESIDENTS TO BRACE-UP VS FLOODING

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has advised the public to store foods and necessary supplies as part of measures against prolonged rainfall and flooding brought by monsoon rains the past few days.

“According to weather forecast, we will have more rains for the next two days and its better if we prepare for the worst situations. We are advising the residents to cooperate, be alert and stay indoors to avoid accidents,” said Mayor Gordon.

In this connection, the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) conducted an urgent meeting with all its attached agencies, officials, and with the 17 barangays of Olongapo to get an up-to-date situationer from different areas in the city.

From the initial report received by the CDCC, an approximate of two hundred and eighteen families (218) or a total of three hundred seventy three (373) individuals from West Bajac-Bajac, East Bajac-Bajac, New Ilalim and Old Cabalan evacuated from their homes. Out of this evacuees, two hundred (200) families were brought to Old Cabalan Elementary School and the remaining eighteen (18) families were temporarily housed at the Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).

Moreover, according to CDCC, two (2) patients were reported to have been given first-aid namely: Ignacio dela Peña, 48 years old, who accidentally stepped-on a nail and the 70 year-old Carlito Esterllado who suffers from cough and colds. The said patients who are both residents of West Bajac-Bajac are staying at the Olongapo City National High School evacuation site.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) oversees the needs of the evacuees while the City Health Office (CHO) is in charged with the medical welfare of the flood victims.

On the other hand, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) donated 43 boxes of canned goods and 3 sacks of rice to support the city in providing for the needs of its residents in times of calamities.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gordon together with Disaster Management Office Head, Angie Layug made the rounds to inspect the city’s 17 barangays and monitor the latest updates on their situations. Pao/sara

Picture taken at Rizal Avenue during the recent heavy-rains. INSET: Mayor Bong Gordon in an interview with ABS-CBN reporter Doland Castro. (Photo/Caption Courtesy of PAO)

Olongapo declares state of calamity

The Olongapo City council, after the state of the city report of CDCC Chairman and Mayor Bong Gordon yesterday at their regular session passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity.

In his report, the mayor stated that 15 out of 17 barangays are flooded and 90 percent of the city's roads affected. (read www.sangunian.com for more details)

Monsoon rains submerge Botolan anew, cut link to South Zambales

Ninety percent of Botolan, Zambales is was submerged in floodwater as monsoon rains enhanced by the tailend of Typhoon Labuyo battered the whole province, doubling the effect of the onslaught of tropical storm Kiko that hit the town almost a month ago.

Latest report from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) revealed that nonstop rains that started 12 noon Sept 7 brought floodwaters reaching as high as six feet damaging a total of 1,197 houses and displacing some 2,000 families.

The national highway along Barangay Carael linking South Zambales to the North was also closed to traffic anew as the approaches to the newly constructed steel bridge were damaged by strong currents of floodwaters expanding as wide as 5 kilometers and depth of 2 feet.

The Bailey Type Bridge had just undergone repairs yesterday to avoid further damage but raging waters destroyed even the "Gabion mattress" or concreted boulders the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had placed to reinforce the bridge's shoulders, according to DPWH District Engineer Hercules Manlicmot.

Relief operations and emergency assistance by the PDCC, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Provincial Social Welfare and development Office (PSWDO), Philippine National Police Zambales Provincial Office (PNP-ZPO), and the 24th IB of the Philippine Army are on-going as of press time and is personally supervised by Governor Amor D. Deloso.

In an interview, Governor Deloso has announced his plan to call into a summit the Olongapo City Government and concerned national agencies to discuss massive dredging and desilting operations in the province to clear waterways and avoid aggravating the now escalating disaster. (PIA-Zambales)

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Villages in Zambales, Pampanga remain flooded

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090909-224401/3-dead-3-missing-due-to-heavy-rains

In Zambales, 16 villages in the municipalities of San Felipe, San Marcelino and Botolan were reported to be flooded while 15 other villages were under water in Olongapo City, Rabonza said.

Also in Olongapo City, seven families (or 52 persons) were affected by landslides in four areas of the city, the NDCC added.

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Heavy rains plaguing the western section of the country has affected 70,000 residents in Olongapo City in Zambales, leading to suspension of classes in schools at all levels.

Olangapo Mayor James “Bong" Gordon Jr. said he suspended classes Tuesday in the entire city after a river that passes through it overflowed, aggravated by high tides, causing neck-deep floods in at least six villages.

Some residents were forced to move to the second floor of their houses, while others were evacuated to the Olongapo City National High School.

Residents of neighboring Botolan town, also in Zambales, were forced to flee their homes after a number of rivers nearby also overflowed. The inclement weather has also damaged three bridges, isolating half of Botolan’s population.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has deployed rescue teams to assist residents.

The incessant rains, attributed by weather forecasters to the southwest monsoon, closed portions of the national highway connecting Central Luzon to Cagayan Valley region on Monday night.

Sections of the highway in Santa Fe town in Nueva Vizcaya and Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija were closed due to mud and other sediment left by floods.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police regional director, said a team of engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways has already cleared the road for motorists.

In Manila, afternoon classes in elementary and high school in five villages in Malabon were also suspended Tuesday due to floods. Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

ABS CBN NEWS VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRil9sjdgjE

Courtesy of : ABS-CBN , TV PatroL WorLd .... FLOOD on BOTOLAN , Zambalez and OLONGAPO

6 Olongapo villages submerged in floods

Six villages in Olongapo City in Zambales province were submerged in floodwaters due to heavy rains on Monday, a local official said Tuesday.

Olongapo City Mayor Bong Gordon said some houses were submerged in neck-deep floods, forcing residents to stay on their home's roofs.

Gordon said rescue operations have been launched by teams from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the trapped villagers. He said at least 70,000 residents were affected by the floods.

The mayor said he has ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in the city. He added that some affected residents have been brought to the Olongapo City National High School, which has been turned into an evacuation center.

Weather bureau PAGASA said provinces in Luzon and Visayas will continue to experience monsoon rains. It warned residents against possible flashfloods and landslides.

It also warned small sea crafts against rough seas in Luzon and Visayas due to the southwest monsoon. With a report from Doland Castro, ABS-CBN News

= = =

This writer in three earlier articles warned readers of such an event, it was made because all indicators point to such an inevitable occurence.

WEATHER UPDATE

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/2009/09/weather-update.html

Flood warning for Olongapo residents

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/2009/09/flood-warning-for-olongapo-residents.html

Expect more rains, flooding

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/2009/09/expect-more-rains-flooding.html

This writer's prediction is not solely based on PAGASA forecast since it is too general for our specific purpose. Additional actual on-site observation and using experience (living in this place for 48 years), utilization of precipitation forecasts coupled with tide prediction and basic common sense. Since flooding and landslides are our outmost concern, it is more practical to use a precipitation from www.weather-forecast.com map not only satellite image from Pagasa as compared below.

PAGASA IMAGE

As can be observed, the precipitation map from www.weather-forecast.com below is much easier to understand

Here's my note on what transpired:

4:30am electrical power was shut down due to fast rising floodwater

4:50am a house in Jolo, Tabacuan, Sta. Rita was washed-away by strong water current, purok leader requesting for rescue.

5:21am Mrs. Tolentino of Purok Uno Sta Rita requesting for emergency evacuation, she's on labor and about to give birth

5:30am water level decreased by a foot, but again... heavy rains started to pour. A report that in Banicain, water is waist deep

6:00am Report of newly placed garbage bins swept away by rushing floods

The Mayor announced NO CLASSES in all levels

6:30am Mrs. Diwa of Mayumi Sta Rita requesting to be rescued, mother suffering high blood pressure due to fear of the situation

Another landslide reported in Purok Uno, Libas, New Cabalan, houses affected, one covered

7:15am A report of a house in Sta Rita village located near a river about to be swept away, riprap was totally gone and half of the house standing on air

For the whole day, Mayor Gordon went around the city to assess the situation and provide assistance to his constituents. An estimated 70,000 people were affected.

Evacuees were transfered to Olongapo City National High School

Water level subsided.

Tuesday 4:15pm water level started rising again due to another heavy downpour

4:45pm water level increased by another 8 inches and counting..

Tuesday night 59 mm previously 49mm with high tide at 12:37pm @ .79m (from earlier report)

Its nice to note though that the 59mm forecast for this night was reduced to 40mm... but remember... "all bases loaded" - thus water will rise! So put ourselves in HIGHEST ALERT!

Here's the PAGASA release for reference

PAGASA Weather forecast

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 08 September 2009

(click here to download 5 a.m. Tuesday, 08-Sep-2009 16:30:14 PHT forecast-Adobe PDF format)

Synopsis : Southwest monsoon affecting Luzon and Visayas.

Tropical Cyclone Update

As of today, Tuesday, 08-Sep-2009 16:30:14 PHT no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Gale Warning

Issued at: 5:00 a.m., Today, 08 September 2009

The surge of the Southwest Monsoon is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

More...

Low Pressure Area Advisory

Issued at: 11:00 a.m., 08 September 2009

A Low Pressure Area is estimated at 220 kms West of Dagupan City (16.0°N 118.0°E).

GENERAL FLOOD ADVISORY

For REGION 3 (Central Luzon)

http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ffb/flood_bul.htm

GENERAL FLOOD ADVISORY # 4

For REGION 3 (ZAMBALES and BATAAN PROVINCE)

Issued at 9:00 AM, 07 September 2009

(Valid until the next issuance at 9:00 AM tomorrow)

WEATHER SYNOPSIS:

SOUTHWEST MONSOON AFFECTING THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LUZON AND VISAYAS.

PAST 24-HRS RAINFALL (MM) ENDING AT 8:00 AM TODAY:

IBA = 129.4 mm

CUBI PT. = 122.0 mm

FORECAST RAINFALL FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS:

MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY RAINS FOR THE NEXT 24 HRS.

WATERCOURSES LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED:

RIVERS AND STREAMS IN ZAMBALES PARTICULARLY NAYOM RIVER , STA CRUZ RIVER, UACON RIVER, LAWIS RIVER, SALAZA RIVER, BAGSIT RIVER, BUCAO RIVER, MALOMA RIVER, SANTO TOMAS RIVER, PAMATAWAN RIVER AND STA. RITA RIVER IN OLONGAPO.

RIVERS AND STREAM IN BATAAN PARTICULARLY THE BALANGA AND MORONG RIVERS.

PUBLIC WARNING:

PEOPLE LIVING NEAR THE MOUNTAIN SLOPES AND IN THE LOW-LYING AREAS NEAR THE ABOVE MENTIONED RIVERS AND THE LOCAL COORDINATING COUNCILS CONCERNED ARE STILL ADVISE TO BE ALERT FOR A POSSIBLE FLASHFLOODS AND LANDSLIDES.

Prepared by:

ALP/SRE/DDF/SPS

Duty Hydrologists

Main Operation Center-Flood Forecasting and Warning Section (MOC-FFWS)

WEATHER UPDATE

ACTUAL OBSERVATIONS

Scattered rainshowers during the whole day, rains (with strong winds) heavier in the afternoon and noticeable is the real dark sky (its 4:38pm but it looks like 6:45pm outside)

AS OF MONDAY AFTERNOON, THE PREDICTIONS ARE as follows

Monday night 56mm from previous forecast of 48mm with high tide at 11:52pm @ .82m

Tuesday night 59 mm previously 49mm with high tide at 12:37pm @ .79m

Thursday night 50mm with high tide at 3:05pm @ .52m

Friday night 36mm previously 86mm with high tide at 1:11am @ 1.10m

Saturday morning 59mm earlier at 72mm with high tide at 1:56am @ 1.17m

Saturday afternoon 59mm previously 68mm

Latest Precipitation Map

ADDITIONAL INFO

Rainfall rate is generally described as light, moderate or heavy. Light rainfall is considered less than 0.10 inches of rain per hour. Moderate rainfall measures 0.10 to 0.30 inches of rain per hour. Heavy rainfall is more than 0.30 inches (7.62mm) of rain per hour.

Rainfall amount is described as the depth of water reaching the ground, typically in inches or millimeters (25.4 mm equals one inch). An inch of rain is exactly that, water that is one inch deep. One inch of rainfall equals 4.7 gallons of water per square yard.

Put more simply, every millimeter(mm) of rain means one liter of water in every square meter area. Thus if the prediction is 56mm of rain per hour with total of 300mm for the night, its roughly a foot of water... then if high tide coincides with the rush of water from the outpour... and you are in a path of cascading waters from the mountains... then another flood can be expected. While this is merely a prediction... No harm in being prepared!

During the rains yesterday, it flooded many areas of the city, one vehicle was reported to have been swiped by floodwater after it stalled at Acacia St Gordon Heights, 43 families were reported to have been evacuated and a landslide took place in Purok 12 Old Cabalan where two families were affected.