ILOILO City – Tornado-like winds tore through several barangays here late Saturday night, damaging at least 52 houses, affecting families and toppling trees and electrical posts as emergency teams raced to clear roads and assist the displaced households.
The violent weather struck at around 10:30 p.m. on August 8, hitting communities in Jaro, La Paz and Mandurriao districts. Barangay Cubay in Jaro bore the brunt of the destruction amid enhanced southwest monsoon conditions influenced by Typhoon “Dolphin,” which was outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 classified the destructive winds as a tornado. However, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has not confirmed whether it was indeed a tornado or buhawi in Hiligaynon, a violently spinning column of air that touches both the ground and a storm cloud.
In meteorology, there are many types of damaging winds other than a tornado such as a straight-line wind, downdraft, downburst, gust front, and derecho.
Initial data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed that 48 houses were damaged in Barangay Cubay and three in Barangay Benedicto, Jaro, and one in Barangay Gustilo, La Paz.
Of the 81 affected families, 54 were from Cubay, 20 from Benedicto, six from Barangay Balabago, Jaro, and one from Gustilo.
“However, these are still subject to validation and verification by the CSWDO, so the figures may still change,” Mayor Raisa Treñas said.
The city government also recorded 12 incidents involving fallen trees, electrical posts and debris in Jaro and Mandurriao.
Residents described powerful winds uprooting trees and ripping roofs from houses. Some homes were also struck by falling trees.
“May ara nga balay nga totally gid, may ara nga partially. Iban natumbahan sang kahoy, buslot, dako ang buho. Ang iban ya waay gid ya atop. Naglupad gid,” Cubay village chief Analye Benin Padilla told Panay News.
Padilla said residents were ordered to evacuate because of the danger posed by the damaged houses and continuing rains.
“Kagab-i mismo sila nag-evacuate. Gin pilit ko gid sila kay delikado. Maulan pa daan, waay sila silongan,” she stressed.
Some affected families were taken to an activated evacuation center, where the city government provided temporary shelter, sleeping arrangements, food, hygiene kits and other necessities. Tents were also erected for children and elderly evacuees.
Treñas said assessment, relief and clearing teams worked through the night to secure affected communities.
“Mga 5 a.m. na kita natapos sa pag-secure sang mga areas nga ginlaslas sang mabaskog nga buhawi kagab-i. Pero one thing I am very proud and grateful is kon paano nangin alerto kag mapag-on kita nga mga Ilonggo sa pagresponde kag pagbinuligay,” she said.
She added: “Padayon ang assessment kag clearing operations sang aton teams, in coordination with the barangays, MORE Electric and Power Corporation, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Public Works and Highways, different volunteer groups kag iban pa nga concerned offices. Ang aton priority subong amo ang safety sang aton mga residente, pagbulig sa mga apektado, kag mapadasig ang clearing operations.”
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office conducted clearing operations to remove fallen trees, branches and debris. Some portions of Jaro Plaza were temporarily closed to allow crews to safely clear the area.
Trees around the plaza and near the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral were uprooted or stripped of their branches and leaves, while toppled utility posts caused power interruptions in some communities.
“Our priority now is the safety of our residents, providing assistance to those affected, and expediting the clearing operations,” Treñas said.
She warned residents against approaching downed utility posts and wires that may still be energized.
“Ginapangabay ko sa aton pumuluyo nga maghalong gihapon, especially sa mga lugar nga may natumba nga kahoy ukon poste kag may posible nga live electrical wires. Indi magpalapit, kag magtawag gilayon sa MORE Power ukon sa aton Operation Center,” she stressed./PN
