Bebeng/Aere: Calbayog Update

As promised, here is an update on Tropical Storm Bebeng, now internationally known as Aere.

Now that the storm has moved north, all is calm in Calbayog City, Samar. There was a limited amount of damage, mostly trees and fences being blown down by high winds. Our house experienced some leaking through upstairs windows, as the winds were driving the rain at nearly a 45 degree angle. I also noticed some nipa roofs being blown up by the high winds, surely causing rain to go inside. As mentioned in my previous article, at least one road, in Matobato, was flooded by overflowing drainage ditches. In places the water was about 6 inches deep. Later, that same day, work crews braved the storm to clean out a drainage ditch, which put an end to the road’s flooding. I apologize for the quality of these photos. Due to weather conditions, and my camera not being water proof, it was difficult to get good images.

We experienced a blackout of electric power (locally known as a brownout) beginning on the afternoon of May 7th. Once the winds and rains subsided, the local power company, Samelco, had their crews out repairing the damages. Power was restored the next day, May 8th.

In an unrelated utility problem, Calbayog City Water District (CCWD) is experiencing problems with one of their pumps. This is causing low water pressure through out the city. Yesterday we did not have any water, at our house, during the entire daylight hours. Today has been a little better, with intermittent water.

Elsewhere, there was more severe damage cause by Bebeng. The Sun.Star has reported the “death toll (rose) to 15”, mostly in Bicol. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. At least 50 flights have been cancelled or re-routed. Even President Noynoy Aquino had to delay his return to the Philippines by one day. He was in Indonesia for an ASEAN summit.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Bebeng is expected to leave the Philippines and pass close to Taiwan before heading towards Japan.

Additional news stories on Bebeng/Aere:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/05/10/bebeng-death-toll-rises-15-154589

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/philippine-storm-kills-17philippine-storm-kills-17-939815.html

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/twelve-killed-as-tropical-storm-moves-north-1.805567

Brownouts return to Calbayog City

Capoocan, Calbayog City

Last night the electricity was off in Capoocan from 6pm to 9pm local time. When I called the Samelco substation, they said it was a “rotating” brownout from Napocor. This morning, the power is out in Brgy Central of Calbayog City. I contacted Samelco’s Capoocan substation again, and was told this is a national problem, and maybe it’s Napocor sending our power to Luzon.

A search in Google indicates the lack of power is because the water levels are still low in the nations hydro-electric dams. Even though we have been getting some rain in June, we are still feeling the effects of the El Nino. You can read more about the situation in Luzon at this ABS-CBN article, and for Cebu there is more info at this globalnation.inquirer.net article.