We are currently in Manila and plan to be at the American Cemetery
on Veterans Day, this coming Monday.
Due to the historic typhoon that hit the central Philippines
yesterday, we have received a number of texts and emails hoping to hear that we
are safe. You can rest assured that we
are fine, as the effect on Manila and Corregidor was minimal. Although Typhoon Haiyan (locally called Yolanda)
may have been the strongest storm to ever hit land, with winds at 315 kph/197
mph, it was also a relatively small storm in circumference. Southern Luzon sustained damage, but it is a
long island so we are a considerable distance from there, but the central
islands of the Visayan region have sustained heavy damage.
We have heard – so this is unconfirmed – that the Tacloban
Airport in Leyte, which we have used on several occasions, has been severely
damaged, if not entirely destroyed, by high winds and a storm surge. We have friends whose families are in the areas
that were hit the hardest, and are praying that they will be okay. The official death toll is still very low but
with communications cut off, even the reporters are guessing to some degree on their
coverage.
In any event, once again, we are safe and sound, with the
storm having no more effect on Manila than a typical day during rainy season.
Thanks for your concern.
Steve and Marcia on the Rock
No comments:
Post a Comment