FLOOD DEATH TOLL NOW AT 240

HERE IS THIS MORNING'S NEWS FROM LOCAL TV STATION ABS-CBN.

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/29/2009 8:17 AM

MANILA - The government has confirmed a total of 240 people dead and nearly 40 people still missing following devastating floods and landslides in Luzon caused by tropical storm Ondoy.
As of 6 a.m., the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said it has accounted for 240 dead people with 101 of the fatalities coming from Metro Manila and 88 in Rizal province.
The NDCC said 37 people remain missing and 5 people were injured due to flashfloods and landslides that hit several areas in Luzon on Saturday.
The number of those affected by the tropical storm’s onslaught on Saturday has climbed to 1.87 million.
The agency said 374,890 people were sheltered in 607 makeshift evacuation camps and schools around Metro Manila, Rizal and other areas in Luzon placed by the government under a state of national calamity.
The cost of damages to property and crops by Ondoy has also risen to P2.33 billion, the NDCC added.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Philippine government will send requests for international assistance thru the United Nation Resident Coordinator.
The government, television networks, movie stars and non-government groups have been going out and pleading for relief goods, cash and medicine for the thousands of affected families staying in cramped evacuation centers.
Classes in all school levels in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas and other areas remained suspended on Tuesday.
Teodoro said he and education officials will meet on Tuesday to decide if there is a need to extend class suspensions.
He said the NDCC is preparing for another possible storm to enter while floods in some parts of Rizal province have yet to recede.
Fair weather
The government's weather bureau PAGASA said the southern part of Luzon and western section of Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies and rainshowers on Tuesday due to an enhanced southwest monsoon.
PAGASA weather bureau chief Prisco Nilo on Monday said that he expects fair weather in the next 2 to 3 days in Metro Manila.
"We don't expect prolonged strong rains in Metro Manila area," he added.

"What happened is that, the southwest monsoon is enhanced by Ondoy although it's far away already and so we're still experiencing some rains in Metro Manila and adjacent areas," Nilo said.
However, he said the weather situation could change significantly.
Nilo said the PAGASA has monitored two "cloud clusters" that may affect the Philippines in the coming weeks.
"These are only cloud clusters. They're not tropical depressions yet," he said.
as of 09/29/2009 8:17 AM

FLOOD AFTERMATH

THE DEATH COUNT IS NOW WELL OVER 100. I WILL POST A YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE THAT SHOWS HOW EXTREME THE FLOODS WERE.

UPDATE OF FLOOD STATISTICS

AS OF 8:45 PM SUNDAY.
THERE ARE NOW 75 CONFIRMED DEAD.
300,000 ARE OUT OF THEIR HOMES.
THE RAINFALL FOR A 9 HOUR PERIOD SATURDAY WAS 410.6 mm (approx. 16.2 inches)

UPDATE ON FLOODS

HERE IS AN UPDATE FOR STATUS OF OUR 5 MAIN CHURCHES AFTER THE STORM.
AS OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2:00 PM.
Except for occassional showers, the rain has stopped in all locations.
NAVOTAS:
After an early morning cleanup of the church building we had both our Sunday morning services. Many members had some damage to their house and got wet. They can all be repaired with some metal roofing and sheets of plywood.
MALABON
The Malabon Church, just across the river from Navotas was still flooded with knee deep water this morning. Services were cancelled. Water levels are slowly retreating.
RAGAY
The heavy rain stopped this morning. The church is on a hill, so no flooding in the church building. All the members are fine, except some lost their crops that were about to be harvested.
SAN JOSE
The heavy rain ended about mid-day, with sunshine this afternoon. Their services were well attended today. Many of the members here also lost their crops to heavy rain and floods.
CARAMOAN
The rain ended yesterday, but they remain quite windy. They also had considerable crop damage from days of heavy rain and wind.

So, overall, we are very thankful that we weathered the storm with no injuries, no church building damage, and only a few minor damages to members houses. The major problem will be the lasting effect of LOST CROPS in Ragay, San Jose and Caramoan. Let us give THANKS TO GOD for His protection and everlasting love. Do pray for the many farmers who will have a lean few months ahead until their crops can be regrown.

MANILA FLOODS

We had a wild Saturday (October 26). In the period 8 AM - 2 PM we had over 15 inches of rain. Although I don't know the official amount yet, it could even be double that for the 24 hour period. Needless to say we got flooded. Navotas is prone to floods anytime, but this was extreme. In other parts of the city there are still people stranded on rooftops and other places. As of this morning (Sunday)CNN has the death count at 50, but it will surely go much higher than that. As for our church members in Navotas, we are all safe, but not necessarily dry. Some lost their roofs and had other damage to their houses, but overall we fared well. It is 5:30 AM now and a group of youth are going to show up soon (I hope) so we can clean up the water on church floor (just a couple inches). The rain stopped during the night, so we likely have a better day today. As soon as I get information today from our churches in Malabon, Ragay, San Jose and Caramoan I will post it. Your prayers are appreciated as we dry out and patch up the damage done.

BACK IN NAVOTAS

I arrived back in Navotas 2:00 AM Monday. Thank you for the prayers for a productive trip. I did struggle with some health problems during the trip and they continue, so please keep me in your prayers, as you are in mine.

SUNDAY UPDATE FROM RAGAY

Thank you for the prayers. Youth Service and Sunday Service went well. God is doing a good work in the hearts of people here. Pray that they will be alert to the schemes of the devil to tear down again. Also, praise God, here is a picture of little girl Joy after her second and final surgery for cleft pallate.

UPDATE FROM RAGAY

Saturday afternoon. It has been raining pretty much continuously with another tropical storm approaching. I will be speaking tonight to youth fellowship and at Sunday morning worship service. Pray that we will have electricity. It has been out most of time. Normal for here. This afternoon I am talking with a group youth about our mission vision for Filipinos. I am blessed to see their eagerness.

ALREADY IN RAGAY

After all night travel, I arrived in Ragay. Pastors Tessie and Rove not here because of family emergency. So I am in charge for weekend. Our leadership training seminar postponed until next month when they get back. Church here doing well again after some problems in previous months. Praise God.

NAVOTAS STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP

These are 23 of our Student Support Group in Navotas together with me at a meeting with their parents on September 6.