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

Bebeng: Calbayog: Rain, Wind, Flooding

Several hours ago I went for a walk, and took some pictures of flooded road conditions here in Brgy Matobato, Calbayog City, Samar. Since then the situation is only getting worse. here are some of the pictures I took then:

The rains started several hours after President Aquino’s visit to Calbayog City on Thursday, May 5. At that time, according to PAGASA, it was only a low pressure system. The surface winds, at that time were about 25 knots. Since then it has been upgraded to Tropical Depression “BEBENG”. The US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) has issued a “TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING”, as the surface winds have reached 35 knots, gusting to 45 knots. PAGASA is currently saying maximum winds of 55 kph near the center of the storm. PAGASA is also expecting the storm to intensify, as it heads towards Manila. Here is a link to a JTWC graphic showing the US Navy’s expected path of Bebeng.

Samar Sea travellers, returning from Almagro Island on friday morning, informed me that the seas were quite rough then. Interrestingly, they were returning from a festival that Mayor Uy had been scheduled to attend, prior to his being shot and killed.

This is rather unusual weather for May, which is considered to be the dry season. Earlier in the year, PAGASA had declared this year a La Niña, or wet year, but they had expected La Niña to end in March.

There is more I plan to write, however the power has started flickering. Already my computer has been “turned off” once by lack of good voltage, so I will have to update this later.