Flood Journal Entry

Rains Trigger Philippine Floods (October 1, 2009)

Heavy rains triggered deadly floods across northern Luzon in the Philippines this week. At least 246 people were killed. Flooding in the capital Manila, which was about 80 percent submerged, was the worst in the city in nearly fifty years.

In Manila, nearly two million homes were flooded, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council. Thousands of people huddled on their rooftops as floodwaters raged below. About 380,000 people were displaced, seeking shelter in evacuation centers set up in schools, churches, gyms, and parks. Disaster officials say thousands of others were stranded without enough food or drinking water and with no electricity. The danger of waterborne and mosquito-related diseases remains high. The United Nations Children Fund and the World Food Program are helping with relief efforts on the island.

The floods are the result of a drenching from Typhoon Ketsana, which dumped more than 20 inches (500 m) of rain over some areas. In some places, over 16 inches (400 mm) of rain fell in less than 12 hours. After slamming the Philippines, Ketsana socked central Vietnam and brought more floods. The weakened but still dangerous storm then took aim at Laos as it kept chugging westward.