The Painful Impact of Ondoy Typhoon

Who would forget how the Ondoy typhoon (international name: Ketsana) brought raging winds and an extended period of torrential rainfall to Metro Manila, Philippines on September 26, 2009? The victims of the calamity could not help but crouch in fear as they got stuck on the roofs of their houses with neither food nor water. And their only choice? Wait for rescue. More than 11 years ago now, but who will forget the horrors of (tropical storm) Ondoy and the 872,097 people who got affected?

For today’s blog, let us look back on that fateful day of September 2009. What really happened? 

A Narrative of Ondoy Typhoon’s Impact

Typhoon Ondoy hit hardest the municipalities, in the eastern part of Metro Manila, which include Marikina and Cainta. 

People were coerced to ascend the roofs while the floodwater was rising to the second level of houses and buildings. 

The trapped women, men, and children were hopelessly crying for water, food, and rescue.

A day before September 26, 2009, Ondoy was not that threatening at all. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Philippine’s Weather Bureau, announced that the affected areas would only be experiencing  Signal Number 1, which was far less menacing than Signal Number 3. As always, several residents began their weekend getting together with their families and eating out with friends. 

It was just like a normal day. 

However, the next day, the sun did not shine in the morning and there was nothing but incessant rain. The rising floodwaters overwhelmed the roads and forced a number of people to abandon their vehicles. The abandoned vehicles then caused traffic congestion, which hindered the rescuers from reaching the trapped residents. 

Over 450,000 people sought shelter in churches, schools, and other evacuation centers.

The floodwater damaged the generators and water systems. It also destroyed agriculture, as well as private and public infrastructure and property. 

Narratives of Twitter Users on Ondoy

Ten years after the Ondoy typhoon hit the Philippines, netizens shared their own narratives on social media as they recollected their experiences during that horrible day. Here are a few posts from Twitter users:

The aforementioned narratives convey how powerful Ondoy really was. Thus, to experience the same incident or worse is something that nobody dares to imagine. Unfortunately, in 2020, typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) inundated large areas in Metro Manila with its torrential rains overnight. The people began asking, “Is this Ondoy Part 2?”

These tropical storms were only a few of those that people from around the world experienced in the past years. Will you turn a blind eye to this?

Don’t Turn a Blind Eye

Philippine famous TV and Radio personality, Arnell Ignacio, experienced a horrifying flood due to Typhoon Ulysses in 2020. This led him to not turning a blind eye to possible flooding, and he decided to have his house floodproofed. 

He said in his interview with KLIPP.tv, “I would like to share [this message] to our countrymen that you don’t have to live with the flooding problem. We should not accept that it is our fate. There is a solution and I am very fortunate that I found Flood Control Asia [RS Corp.]. I don’t want to live in a place where I would get nervous everytime there is a heavy downpour.”

Arnell’s Satisfaction

Now, even if flooding occurs, Arnell Ignacio is confident that he will be able to protect his property and live a happy life without fear of mess, destruction, and danger from the flood. 

These tropical storms were only a few of those that people from around the world experienced in the past years. Will you turn a blind eye on this?

You can consider Arnell as an inspiration. Don’t let another horrible incident like Ondoy typhoon or Ulysses cause your loved ones to get hurt. Do not allow this to destroy the valuables you worked all your life for.

If you want to watch a video of the flood protection project for Arnell’s property, click the “WATCH THE VIDEO” button. 

To consult with a Flood Expert about your flood protection, you may also click the “BOOK A MEETING FOR FREE.”