16th Dec'2021 : Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) slams into Surigao City

Post new topic

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP02 March 2022 12:51:12

1901

Glad to be back 'alive' after more than 2mths of absence; after having survived the horrors/dreadful destruction caused by super typhoon Odette (Rai).
My home was not spared & had parts of the roof blown away which was then swiftly followed by a 4ft high water surge caused by a nearby river bank burst which then flooded my home & damaged some of my stuff...other residents in lower lying areas nearby were not as fortunate & had their homes/roofs blown away entirely & had to seek shelter in emergency evacuation centres.
My roof has since been fully repaired & life is slowly moving back to normal; infact my home has now actually been upgraded with a new outdoor pavilion cum car porch a small token of appreciation to my multicab that has been our livesaver (a story for another time)... still have NO electricity supply nor any proper wifi signal which I hear should be up and running in the next month or so.
I do hope/pray all fellow expats residing in Siargao/Surigao/Dinagat managed to get their lives back on track too.
Two of my expat buddies & family have since left this area for good & are now settled in Butuan City some 125km away (easier for them to pack up and leave as they were only renting their previous apartments).
Its been the toughest 2mths of my entire life but still managed to keep all in the family safe.
Guys will only be able to reply/update intermittently so thanks & do stay safe.

Lotus Eater ViP

Member since 26 June 2012

Lotus EaterViP02 March 2022 19:18:45

1652

An emphatic endorsement of one of the plethora of reasons why it is better to rent than own property in the Philippines. Rent spelt RENT.

Michael P. Carter Contributor

Member since 08 June 2021

Michael P. CarterContributor02 March 2022 22:21:51

102

"Glad to be back alive' after more than 2mths of absence; after having survived the horrors/dreadful destruction caused by super typhoon Odette (Rai)."

Glad you guys are safe and keep on , keeping on. peace and love

Jackson4 Serial expat

Member since 21 July 2018

Jackson4Serial expat03 March 2022 01:10:50

675

I am glad you to hear are safe.

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP03 March 2022 04:50:25

1901

Thanks guys & do stay safe.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

Member since 27 June 2017

pnwcyclistPhilippines Expert03 March 2022 13:24:45

1438

So glad to hear from you Manwonder, and that your family is safe. Nasty typhoon. We are rebuilding one of the GF’s family’s small homes destroyed in southern Cebu province.

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP04 March 2022 10:08:34

1901

pnwcyclist wrote:
So glad to hear from you Manwonder, and that your family is safe. Nasty typhoon. We are rebuilding one of the GF’s family’s small homes destroyed in southern Cebu province.

Thanks pnwcyclist hope your GF's family home rebuilding goes well .
& Yes it was a "V".nasty typhoon.

FilAmericanMom Philippines Expert

Member since 19 May 2011

FilAmericanMomPhilippines Expert04 March 2022 10:51:22

884

I'm glad that you and your family are now safe.

Hoping you get your electric supply soon. Can't wait to hear your multicab story.

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP04 March 2022 11:26:55

1901

FilAmericanMom wrote:
I'm glad that you and your family are now safe.

Hoping you get your electric supply soon. Can't wait to hear your multicab story.

Thanks FilAmericanMom ...Yes the multicab the most under rated vehicle here the same one many despise...not only did she save our lives (2 adults, 4kids & our pet dog which was parked on lipata hill/parallel to a *2ft safety wall she needs our gratitude too) as she just refused to budge even with gusts of winds hitting 200km/h or more) Larger lorries/trucks nearby were seen swinging wildly fm side to side & some even were smashed with uprooted trees....no sweat for my multicab she started with the 1st crank when we most wanted her to move.
She then helped in transporting all our roof panels/frames & more than *1.2tons of gravel (*on a single trip) for the building of her new outdoor pavilion cum carporch.
We all love and take good care of our multicab.

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP04 March 2022 11:52:56

#10

1901

Friends/Buddies NOW tell me that it was not wise to go to the hills/high ground during a typhoon like what I did (I had never encountered one as powerful as this ever before) & I was more worried about the flooding which eventually did come in a big big way.
We were again lucky with only 4ft in our home.
Thanks & Stay safe guys.

Jackson4 Serial expat

Member since 21 July 2018

Jackson4Serial expat05 March 2022 10:28:34

#11

675

Does she have a name?
........ your multicab

manwonder ViP

Member since 21 January 2020

manwonderViP06 March 2022 00:54:18

#12

1901

Jackson4 wrote:
Does she have a name?
........ your multicab

Hehe....yup now that she's knighted by the family she's officially named
Rusco Herby the Odette Savior.

FilAmericanMom Philippines Expert

Member since 19 May 2011

FilAmericanMomPhilippines Expert02 April 2022 07:11:44

#13

884

To the OP,

What an incredible story about your multicab and your experience. I agree that it's a good idea to move to higher ground when there's a storm surge warning.

Just a reminder to all: Keep your gas tank at least 3/4 full. You never know when you need to evacuate during disasters and calamities.

Lotus Eater ViP

Member since 26 June 2012

Lotus EaterViP02 April 2022 07:33:48

#14

1652

Or when your Filipina wife/GF discovers you 'In Flagranti'

Articles to help you in your expat project in the Philippines

Lifestyle in the Philippines
About to move to the Philippines? Wondering how you're going to adapt to your new environment and lifestyle? ...
Getting married in the Philippines
Getting married in the Philippines provides a backdrop of immense beauty through stunning beaches, tropical ...
Dating in the Philippines
The beauty of the Philippines, with its dramatic modern and old Spanish architecture, plus the golden sands and ...
Obtaining a Philippines driving licence
Whether you are converting your existing foreign driving license or applying as a first-timer for a Philippines ...
Leisure activities in the Philippines
Consisting of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a real treasure that you can explore during your stay ...
Choosing your neighbourhood in Manila
Choosing a neighborhood is one of the most critical decisions that expats need to make when moving to Manila. Each ...
Diversity and inclusion in the Philippines
The culture of the Philippines is very diverse. This is due to the large mix of different nations in this country, ...
Phones and Internet in the Philippines
When moving to the Philippines, the first ‘essentials' is telecommunications; Getting a local sim card and ...