Storm surge destroys 43 houses in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – At least 43 houses on stilts were destroyed by a storm surge spawned by the southwest monsoon early yesterday in Barangay Sinunuc – a coastal village west of this city.

Elmeir Apolinario, Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said no one was reported hurt in the incident and that affected residents were immediately evacuated from the shorelines of Sitio Pitogo.

Apolinario said the residents first reported heavy rains in their area followed by big waves that smashed against their houses on stilts.

“We were all alerted as big waves constantly slammed our houses. Later, just as we were evacuating, the houses just collapsed one after the other,” said Antonio Brokisa, one of the affected residents.

Apolinario said at least 14 families, who were rendered homeless, were evacuated to the barangay covered court and provided with relief assistance by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Meanwhile, at least 20 families living near the banks of Saz River were also evacuated as floodwaters swelled due to inclement weather in Barangay Labuan.