ODETTE CATASTROPHE: A SUPER TYPHOON'S IMPACT ON CEBUANO'S

Dec. 16, 2021, Cebu was under a full alert for upcoming super typhoon that had it's landfall at 11:00pm. The typhoon was named, Odette.

With the past typhoon experience , Filipinos was being so complaisant and underestimated the said typhoon.

The PAG-ASA forecasted that the typhoon was not a super typhoon but the Japan and USA weather forecast released a warning that it will be a super typhoon. We rely on our own weather forecast, PAG-ASA was the only source we had for us to be able to foresee on what to do next.

There six regions that was greatly affected by the typhoon and was severely damage.

The eye of the typhoon first landed at Bohol and proceeded to Sibonga, Cebu, the south part of the Cebu province and then to Cebu City.

Some of the business establishments had shortened working hours because we re under signal no. 3 at around 12 noon. The government mandated that all workers should be sent home.

Around 6pm, people are still outside to buy something for their christmas preparation. It started to rain and windy.

Around 7pm, the wind becomes stronger as it approached the island of Cebu. The electricity, water and cellular signal started to shutdown in the southern part of Cebu.

I felt the intensity of the wind, my daughter kept crying because of the sound of the wind and the sound of the roof that's been reaped off was horrifying.

10:00pm, the typhoon landed in Cebu Province. The wind becomes stronger and it seems like our door was about to be knocked off, it felts like someone is banging at the door so loudly or harshly.

ODETTE'S AFTERMATH

The whole evening was a sleepless night, the longest hours of every Cebuano's lives

December 17, 2021 at 6am, we went outside to check everyone if they are safe and to check the damages.

I never imagined the scenario that I was about to witness. There are roofs that was lost and pieces of GI sheets everywhere. There are trees and electric post that was down. Our main road was not accessible due to the cable wires and post along the way. There are approximately 500 casualties that had been reported. Cebu is under State of Calamity.

Electricity , water supply and cellular signals are still unavailable. We can't communicate our love ones due to shutdowns.

It's been a week since typhoon Odette destroyed the whole island of Cebu. Scarcity of drinking water is our major problem today. We need to fall in line early to be able to get water and it's limited to 20 liters per person. Most of the refilling stations don't have generator set for them to operate.

Long ques are being seen in the gasoline stations and will take 7-8 hours of waiting. Long lines for water supply for taking a bath or washing the dishes. Kids are also helping thier families to fetch water. Others are homeless and no food to eat. They don't have a choice but to sleep in the shore.

Still with no electricity, water and cellular phone as we approach the Christmas Eve but we are still thankful to God for giving us the chance to be with our family.

This tragedy was a wake up call to every Cebuano's that life is too short. I know Cebu will bounce back and will recover everything they lost.

Please help us to pray for the souls of those who died during the typhoon. Pray for every citizen that they can survive the tragedy.

Hoping for a brand new 2022.

To God be the Glory.

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