21 12 / 2011
As residents slept, flash floods entered homes, killing 180 in Mindanao - GMA News
A storm slashing through the southern Philippines has triggered flash floods and landslides that have killed nearly 180 people and forced about 100,000 from their homes, government and army officials say.
“Most were already sleeping when floodwaters entered their homes,” Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz said. “This is the worst flooding our city has experienced in years.”
Tropical Storm Sendong, with winds gusting up to 90km/h, hit Mindanao late on Friday and swept across the island, bringing heavy rain that also grounded domestic flights and left wide areas without power.
In Iligan City, which is usually spared the disastrous consequences of passing storms, residents were apparently caught by surprise despite warnings of the approaching storm. Officials said Saturday morning that they couldn’t recall the last time such a powerful flood smashed into their city.
My fellow Filipinos, I pray for you.
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