Death Toll from Supertyphoon Yolanda estimate could be as high as 10,000!

Real Cyclists

From WorldNews NBC News | November 10, 2013


      
                              

While there were pledges of aid came fromAustralia, UK, and NZ , it is feared that death tolll could reach as high as 10,000 according to PNP Regional Director Elmerdo Soria.  Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by surging sea water strewn by debris and destroyed buildings.  His estimate is for the island of Leyte alone.  City Administrator Tecson Lim that this figure could be in Tacloban alone.  Tacloban is the biggest city in Leyte with a population of 200,000.

The 10,000 estimate is a huge jump from the 1,200 initially announced by PNRC Gwendolyn Pang
 Saturday.  The PHL national govt has not confirmed the figures.  NBC news was unable to independently confirm the numbers because of lack of  communications.

Should this be correct, the death toll could be as high as that of tsunami in Japan.

The storm surges could be as destructive as tsunami, as reported on the ground by the residents.  A resident who took a refuge under a parked jeep said a wall of water as HIGH AS A COCONUT TREE (about 40 ft) swept the jeep.  The wall of water had trees, logs, houses and debris.

As for the aid, NZ gave  $166,000 through the Red Cross, and Australia will give through the Red Cross family kits consisting of blankets, mosquito nets through PNRC in the amount of $366,000 (from Rappler)

Let us pray for the soul of those who perished from this typhoon
              

Leyte worst hit by Typhoon Yolanda

Real Cyclists

From Rappler updated as of 8:34 today November 9, 2013

From Reuters/Yahoo News

 

The world is just beginning to get the extent of devastation and damage in Tacloban Leyte. CNN reports  At least 100 were reported dead, storm surges of at least second level of buildings.   Communication and power were done, and there were reports of looting as people scrambled for supplies.  Nothing was reported left of the airport except the runways.   Sec. Roxas reported at ANC that it took almost a day to reach the airport.

Relief and rescue workers had to walk from the capitol to the airport because of lack of public transportation.  Guian, Samar was the first to bear the brunt of the typhoon, which was reported to be the strongest typhoon in history.  Winds speeds of 235 kmh were reported on the ground but international meteorologists reporte wind speed of 315 kmh.

Damages and destruction were reported in many islands:   Mindoro, Panay (especially Iloilo and Capiz)  We do not know yet about Palawan which was in the path of the typhoon

We will get the full extent of damages as soon as the communication lines are restored. 

        From BBC news                                                  The airport has been devasted;  people wait for relief goods                                                            
Was it the storm surge or the strong winds that caused this destruction?

Views of Tacloban City last August 2012

                                     San Juanico bridge

                                       A food trip in Tacloban City