Cagayan de Oro Calamity Aftermaths

What the calamity left our city? I just listed some here:

1. Mud - brought my the flood of course. Along with the undesirable odor that stick with the dirty water with dissolved mud and dirts.

2. Garbage - some caused the flood. Some entered houses and some were scattered on the roads.

3. Damaged Creeks - old creeks made the flood worst when it started to give up. After each creeks were damages, the water run wildly destroying for properties.

4. Damaged Bridges - due to high volume of running water, some old and new bridges were damaged. This caused from passengers to be stranded in Cagayan de Oro and in some municipalities.

5. Canceled Flights - no air traffic was available in the city due to heavy clouds surrounding the airport area. This caused some of the members of PSG to be stranded.

6. Damaged Houses - some were even gone. Both the flood and the tidal waves caused some houses to break.

7. Damaged Farms - some rice fields which have rice ready for harvest were all washed out.

8. Damaged Economy - some livelihoods were damaged, some failed to report for work, some failed to operated. Like Gaisano in Carmen, the store was closed for a day because it was flooded. Some lost their farms and live stocks.

9. Relief Goods - still keep on coming. It is positive to count this as a blessing.

10. Calamity Funds - I learn that those who experience the calamity, they can file a calamity loan and the president offered to pay for it. Another blessing for those who badly need it.

Not bad, after all 2 out of 10 were a blessing. Let's thank for the blessing of realization also and the blessing to be of help. My list might be short or you can add your list too, just don't mind telling me.


...

Cagayan de Oro City : Flooded Again

Yesterday, most of us, residents of Cagayan de Oro City were stranded. The rain poured out hard since it started as early as 12midnight. I know in my heart, I am worried for another flood, the rain can make the waters rise again.

As early as 5am, I turned the radio, and listened to the news. The radio station was monitoring all the barangay situations, specially those near the river and the bay area. Some barangay officials deligated volunteers to specific areas for possible rescue operations.

Commercial power was off by 6AM, due to the request of some residents, whose houses were flooded up to the ceilings. Brown-out occured all over the City for safety purposes. To listen to the the radio, I used my mobile phone. Just in time, before my phone battery drained, the power was back at 12noon.

We learned from the new that Buses going to Butuan City were stranded because Gingoog City, a city next to Cagayan de Oro, was not passable because of flood. At west bound terminal the road was also filled with waters. The highway of Kauswagan were filled with water higher than the knees.

Some roads in the city, specially in Carmen were not passable also. Gaisano Grocery store in Carmen was also flooded, where in the water was knee high also. In SSS, the water level was as high as the waist line. No vehicles were able to pass this area.

In Alubijid, the buses from Iligan City were also stranded when the water in the rice field area along the road over flows like a river across the road. Also the bridges of the municipality of Opol were all destroyed by the flood. Thus making most of the vehicles stranded.

Some rescue treams were from the rafters group. Some uniform personel from Air Force, PA and Air Borne and different government offices also went for rescue and operated to monitor the said calalmity.

It is sad to know also that classes were posponed today because of the flood...


...

Flash Back of Jan.4, 2009

Today, the rain stopped at 10AM. I saw sunlight, and glad to do some laundry as well. I finished my laundry and very glad to save water, because I used stocked rain water in our tank to wash my clothes.

At 4PM, I went to the mall to send my brother a package at LBC. Then I attended a mass at the church beside the mall. By the way, on my way to the mall, I passed by one of the bridges and so happy to see that the river water level was already low. I feel so blessed today.

A high school classmate, LP in her homecoming, who came all the way from US, invited us over for a dinner at their house. With my other six of my high school classmates, we meet at dunkin and LP fetched us.

We went to Aluba, I don't know the name of the subdivision, but it is a great big house. We went inside for a dinner and chitchat. We also tour around the house. I also learn that below that high land where we were, was the place affected by the flash flood.

Upon going home, we were able to pass the Macasandig Gym full of evacuees. I can't believe they all lost their homes. Because of the flash flood the other day, their houses were swept away by the waters. Some cows were also swept by the water. The floating restaurant of this city was also destroyed.

Also upon passing by the newly opened bridge, the bridge connecting Carmen and Macasandig, I learned that the rotonda the other day was filled with water. The said bridge was not used and that it caused heavier traffic in the city. I can't imagine how high the water that day and how many travelers were stranded.

I feel the need to write this blog, to ask assistance to those who can help. One of my classmates, Kagawad CRada of Barangay Consolasion, was not able to be with us that night because she was busy preparing goods for the affected families of the said incident in their area too. I was thinking my blog can make my readers extend help to those who need.

Let's pray that calamities become a blessing to us to help us realize that we have so much to give and share and help. May we become a blessing to each other always. God bless us!

...