In the Philippines, hundreds of thousands flee approaching typhoon - LA TimesIn the Philippines, hundreds of thousands flee approaching typhoon - LA Times
 

      World Asia          In the Philippines, hundreds of thousands flee approaching typhoon     Philippines typhoon preparations Jay Rommel Labra / European Pressphoto Agency Residents take shelter inside a gymnasium in Mambaling village in the central Philippines ahead of a typhoon. Residents take shelter inside a gymnasium in Mambaling village in the central Philippines ahead of a typhoon. (Jay Rommel Labra / European Pressphoto Agency)    By Sunshine Lichauco de Leon and Alexandra Zavis  contact the reporter     Weather Warnings   Weather   Hurricanes and Tropical Storms   Typhoon Haiyan (2013)   American Red Cross    Filipinos pour into churches, schools and other makeshift evacuation centers as typhoon approaches  'Nobody is taking any chances this time,' aid official says as the Philippines braces for a typhoon      Hundreds of thousands of people across a wide stretch of the Philippines sought refuge Friday in churches, schools and other makeshift evacuation centers as the island nation braced for another a  powerful typhoon.About 50 provinces covering more than half the archipelago could be at risk from Typhoon Hagupit, including many communities that were devastated by last year’s deadly Typhoon Haiyan, officials said. Hagupit was expected to make landfall late Saturday, probably on the eastern island of Samar.       Philippines typhoon preparations Marlon Tano / AFP/ Getty Images A young evacuee peers out a window at an evacuation center in Tacloban city, in the central Philippines on Dec. 5. The country is bracing for another powerful typhoon. A young evacuee peers out a window at an evacuation center in Tacloban city, in the central Philippines on Dec. 5. The country is bracing for another powerful typhoon. (Marlon Tano / AFP/ Getty Images)      Forecasters differed on the route that it could take from there, with the state weather agency predicting it would cut across the country’s central islands, and the U.S. military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center suggesting a more northerly route that could include the southern outskirts of the capital, Manila.Although the storm appeared to be weakening as it approached the coast, officials warned it could still bring dangerous winds, rain and storm surges. On Friday, local meteorologists clocked gusts of 143 mph.Tens of thousands of families still live in tents and other flimsy shelters along coastlines that were battered in last year's storm.The Department of Social Welfare and Development said at least half a million people had fled their homes, and there were plans to move many more ahead of the approaching typhoon, which is known in the Philippines as Ruby.However, the U.S. advocacy group Refugees International said it was concerned that many evacuation centers might not be safe.lRelated 
AsiaOn first-ever 'Constitution Day,' China touts and flouts rightsSee all related8 “A damage assessment of designated evacuation centers in typhoon-affected areas indicated that in some places – such as Eastern Samar, where Hagupit is headed – less than 10% ... were likely to withstand future typhoons,” the group said in a statement.“Moreover, while the hope is that large-scale evacuations will help save lives, there’s little doubt that Hagupit will bring a great deal of fear and suffering to thousands of Filipinos who already lost everything to Haiyan.”Fred Padernos, a father of five in Tacloban, the city hit hardest by Haiyan, said his family was sheltering in a four-story building, where they had rented space with others.Last year, Haiyan’s tsunami-like storm surges trapped the family on the second floor of their home. “Luckily I was able to save my family,” he said. “But I was hurt emotionally and very depressed, because I really saw the danger before my eyes, that any moment we could die.” By Friday evening, the weather was ominous.“We are feeling the strong wind already. It comes very quickly and goes away again and comes back,” he said. “Sometimes it creates very small whirlwinds. And then the clouds are getting thick already and dark, and rains are pouring down and stop and then pour down again. It’s very abnormal.”Government officials and international aid organizations said they had learned lessons from Haiyan, which destroyed about 1 million homes, displaced 4 million people and left more than 7,300 dead or missing. 

cComments



@edlewis9 You don't seem to have any idea what the economic situation is in the Philippines. I've known hundreds of people over the years out there... and earning about $20-50 a month seems to be the norm. Do you honestly believe that people would choose to live in a "paper...
cmchefney
at 8:31 PM December 05, 2014



Add a comment
See all comments




2



“Nobody is taking any chances this time — not the government, the population or the international agencies," said Bradley Mellicker of the International Organization for Migration. "Everyone remembers what happened last year and are preparing to the greatest extent they can.”In Tacloban, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez said he had suspended school and was encouraging workers from other areas to return home to reduce the city’s population to a more manageable level. Numbers swell from about 240,000 up to 1 million people during the workday, he said.Romualdez estimated that 95% of the people living in vulnerable coastal communities had relocated to evacuation centers.“They know because of experience that they don't want to get caught flat-footed and don't want to rely on outside help, so the best way is to prepare,” Romualdez said. “They are very attentive and monitoring the bulletins.” Unlike last year, rescue and debris clearance vehicles were moved to protect them from storm surges, and police and military reinforcements were deployed in advance, he said.To ward off looting, police officers were positioned at strategic check points and were patrolling the city’s central business district, where many banks are located.  A temporary liquor-sales ban was in effect.The city has set up backup communications systems and emergency coordination centers, Romualdez said. But with only propeller planes allowed to land at the Tacloban airport because of damage to the runway, there is still reason for concern if the city takes another direct hit. Mellicker of IOM said local authorities were preparing differently in Guian, another Haiyan-battered town.Although many buildings destroyed last year have yet to be rebuilt, people living in makeshift accommodations had been evacuating to “solid structures” for 48 hours, with the pace picking up on Friday, he said.“The whole peninsula is built of limestone, so many have evacuated into caves, which people have used for generations and always survived in,” Mellicker said.Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said the organization is in “much better shape than last time.”  More relief supplies and personnel have been positioned, and more equipment has been purchased — including trucks, water tankers and satellite phones — which should improve response times.But he cautioned, “Even if you are ready, nature has a way of getting back at you and biting you in your behind, so you have to be ready for surprises.”Special correspondent De Leon reported from Manila and Times staff writer Zavis from Los Angeles.For international news, follow @alexzavis on Twitter Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times UPDATES6:23 p.m.: This story was updated with warnings that some evacuation centers might not be safe.This story was originally published at 3:45 p.m.           




              Related Content



 Weather Warnings

 Weather

 Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

 Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

 American Red Cross
 Asia  On first-ever 'Constitution Day,' China touts and flouts rightsChina marked the 32nd anniversary of its constitution this week with unprecedented fanfare -- and continued violations of citizens’ rights. Asia  India court orders activist on 14-year hunger strike freedAn Indian activist who has been on hunger strike for more than 14 years in protest of alleged military brutality was released Thursday after a court rejected charges that her fast was a suicide attempt. Asia  South Korean police fear teen may have joined Islamic State militantsLike most South Korean youngsters, he was known to spend a lot of time on the Internet playing video games. But now, South Korean police say, a home-schooled 18-year-old who developed an online fascination with Islamic State has gone missing in Turkey and may have crossed into Syria in an... Europe  Prince Andrew of Britain publicly denies sexual abuse allegationBritain’s Prince Andrew took the unprecedented step Thursday of publicly denying allegations that he had sex with an American woman when she was a teenager. Middle East  In Yemen, Houthi rebels' gains could have wide repercussionsThe violent upheaval in Yemen's capital this week has raised fear of a power vacuum at the heart of a country regarded as crucial to U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle East. Europe  Donetsk airport falls into hands of pro-Russia separatistsUkrainian officials said Thursday that their forces have retreated from the main portion of the airport at Donetsk, a key turning point in an eight-month battle with Russian separatist forces that has turned the facility into a hulk of twisted metal and shattered glass. Middle East  Israel is drawn into U.S. tussle over sanctions on IranIn an unusual display of high-stakes arm twisting, both the White House and its critics in Congress have called in foreign leaders to help lobby U.S. lawmakers on whether to impose new economic sanctions on Iran amid tense negotiations on its nuclear program. Middle East  Yemen and Houthi rebels reach deal to end violenceThe Yemeni government and Houthi rebels occupying the capital agreed Wednesday to a deal in a bid to defuse tension after two days of violence heightened instability in the nation, a hub of U.S. counter-terrorism strategy in the Middle East.                   Comments           
 World
Europe
Asia
The Americas
LoadingMember CenterPlace an AdLocal California Sports Entertainment Business Opinion Nation World Lifestyle Travel Autos Real Estate Jobs Photos & Video CLASSIFIEDS SHOP ADVERTISING CORRECTIONS PRIVACY:UPDATE TERMS SITE MAP ABOUT US CONTACT US ©2015 LA Times Local Breaking News Obituaries Weather Central L.A. Eastside Harbor Northeast L.A. Pomona Valley S.F. Valley S.G. Valley South Bay Southeast South L.A. Verdugos Westside Orange County Partner Sites Local+ L.A. NowHomicide ReportSoCal MomentsReport calls for another overhaul in hiring of LAFD firefightersTeen killed in South L.A. double shootingCalifornia City Hall Crime Data & Maps Education Elections Obituaries Politics Transportation Robin AbcarianPoliticalCalifornia lawmakers will push death-with-dignity measureQuality of life scores run along racial lines in CaliforniaSports Angels Clippers Dodgers High School Kings Lakers NFL NHL / Ducks Scores & Stats UCLA USC More sports Dodgers NowHS InsiderLakers NowSports NowUSC NowUCLA NowVarsity InsiderJohn Daly, a Humana Challenge attraction, remains a magnet for fansAlways a gamer, Clippers' Chris Paul hopes to play in 82 this seasonEntertainment Arts Books Company Town Critics Picks Movies Music Television Ent+ Carolina A. MirandaCulture MonsterThe EnvelopeGossipHero ComplexJacket CopyMovies NowPop & HissShow TrackerAmazon to make 'Transparent' available free to stream -- but not for longIsraeli singer nabbed in connection with leaked Madonna tracksBusiness Autos Company Town Jobs Real Estate Business+ Hot PropertyHiltzikTechnology NowWill Comic-Con leave San Diego? Other cities are making pitchesA new effort to help black workers find higher-paying jobsOpinion Editorials Op-Ed Readers React Readers Rep David HorseyOpinion L.A.To Obama, family leave is a family valueDoes Mike Huckabee want to be president or Beyonce's bassist?Nation Obituaries Politics Science Nation NowPolitics NowScience NowNewtown to demolish home of Sandy Hook shooter Adam LanzaResearchers debunk the idea that asthma is more common in inner citiesWorld Afghanistan Africa Americas Asia Europe Middle East In China, the California name and connection are goldenMelbourne cemetery reinvents itself as tourist spotLifestyle Books Comics Crossword Fashion Food Games Health Home & Garden Horoscopes Recipes Sudoku Health+ Lifestyle+ All the RageDaily DishJacket CopyTravel California Europe Hawaii Las Vegas Cruises Mexico Asia Theme Parks Travel+ Deals & NewsDaily Detour: Odd spots, strange trips, great moments in travelAutos L.A. Auto Show Reviews New Car Deals Used Car Deals Print Ads SELL YOUR CAR Real Estate Home & Garden Rentals Print Ads SELL YOUR HOME FORSALEBYOWNER Hot PropertyHot PropertyHiltzikTechnology NowWill Comic-Con leave San Diego? Other cities are making pitchesA new effort to help black workers find higher-paying jobsPhotos & Video Photos Video FrameworkRain in the SouthlandAutos Jobs Real Estate Rentals Legal Notices Miscellaneous Print Ads Place an Ad Local Deals Travel Offers LATimes Store Photo Store Marketplace Local Listings Sports Gear District West Media Kit Place an Ad Services About our Ads Portfolio Executive Team Masthead Newsroom Press Events Permissions Archives Careers Media Kit TERMS News Tips Site Feedback Submit Letter Readers Rep 







    







