Fifth storm in three weeks leaves Filipinos trapped in houses, on roofs

Fifth storm in three weeks leaves Filipinos trapped in houses, on roofs Residents evacuate from their flooded communities in Manila, Philippines as Typhoon Vamco batters the Philippine capital. Photo: CNS

Filipinos appealed for help as a fifth tropical storm or typhoon hit their country in a three-week period. These included the strongest typhoon since 2013 and the biggest floods since 2009.

The latest, Typhoon Vamco – or Ulysses as it is known in Philippines – left at least 42 dead and 20 missing. Rescue workers said November 13 they were still trying to reach people trapped in their houses, even after the storm blew out to sea.

In eastern metropolitan Manila, water in the Marikina River rose to 72 feet, surpassing Typhoon Ketsana, which left 671 dead in 2009, the United Nations reported.

Ucanews.com said Jesuits in the Philippines have appealed for material and spiritual support for victims of Vamco; many residents in Marikina City took refuge on the rooftops of their homes to await rescue.