What I Can Do: Experience during a Calamity

 

    Super Typhoon Goni, the world's most powerful tropical cyclone in 2022, hit Luzon on November 1, 2020, bringing torrential rainfall, severe winds, mudslides, and storm surges. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the typhoon, locally known as Rolly, left extensive destruction and damage in its path, killing at least 25 people, injuring 399, and affecting 2 million people in 8 of the country's 17 regions (DSWD). An estimated 845,000 individuals were affected by the typhoon and needed assistance and protection. 

    https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/10/31/powerful-typhoon-rolly-to-hit-hard-quezon-aurora-bicol-pagasa/

    Personally, in my 17 years of existence, I have not experienced a calamity or disaster that has almost destroyed my life. But, in general, a disaster that I will never forget is Super Typhoon Rolly.

    My family had been warned about the impending storm by watching television days before it made landfall. In case of an emergency, my mother stores extra food on board. My father had prepared essential and personal items for us to consume. He also inspects and repairs items that could be destroyed. My siblings and I completed our activities sooner than usual because the internet connection could be disrupted. It was a Sunday, and I was at home with my family when storm clouds arrived from nowhere. We had planned to go to the cemetery, but due to the weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to stay at home and visit when the weather improved.

    This severe tropical cyclone hit my homeland of the Philippines barely two years ago. I'll never forget how this storm made me feel fear and trauma for the people who were affected by it. The typhoon inflicted extensive damage. Time has passed by so quickly, but it feels like it was only yesterday. My hometown, Mauban, was frequently featured on television news. Social media is flooded with articles, photos, and videos. Due to large and severe sea waves and wind, many of my fellow countrymen who live near the sea have been urged to evacuate. 

    In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rolly is the most powerful typhoon to hit the country in 2020 to date. The typhoon delivered high winds and heavy rain to my town. I remembered that my province had been one of the hardest hit in CALABARZON. It brought heavy flooding, even chest-high floods, to some communities. The winds were powerful enough to bring down trees and structures, blow up tin roofs, and even damage houses. Many households lost power as a result of the fallen power lines. At night, everything was pitch black.

    After the landfall, we contacted and checked on our family, particularly on my father's side because they live near the sea, and relatives about their safety. We watched DZMM TeleRadyo and scrolled our town’s Facebook page for the latest updates. I just sighed hard when I was assured that my family was safe.

    The sun shines beautifully, reminding disaster survivors that there is still life. I understand how difficult it is to recover from a shattered and destroyed situation. That is why you have to control the situation. Act while you can. Act on what you can do. It is wiser to be prepared or over-react than to be too late in protecting and saving someone or something we care deeply about.

References:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/10/31/powerful-typhoon-rolly-to-hit-hard-quezon-aurora-bicol-pagasa/

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-super-typhoon-goni-rolly-humanitarian-needs-and-priorities-nov-2020