Following floods in Mindanao on the weekend including Cagayan De Oro, we have received this news from Eric and Sandra Read, our mission partners there:
Dear all
You may have heard on the news about the floods here last night. We are safe and being 2 or 300 ft above the river are well awaya form the flood zone. The first house we were living in has probably been affected.
We woke up and looked out this morning to find the river very visible (normally we can only see a short stretch), the remains of houses, trees flattened and people sitting on roofs and stuck on small islands. The wind was strong and the rain heavy last night, certainly the worst we've experienced here, but not as bad as they get in Luzon every year. However, a dam burst further inland and sent a wall of water down the river, which reached Cagayan about 1.30 am. The electricity had already gone off earlier in the evening and there was virtually no warning, people were suddenely inundated and in darkness.
We went down with a few clothes and some food for people and to see if we could help. We picked up a family at the side of the road and took them to some relatives. They had to go on to the roof of their 2 storey house. All they had were the clothes they were standing in. The husband had just come out of hospital after pneumonia, so his wife was worried it would make him sick again. Some people were standing around looking dazed, others were walking, yet many were still able to laugh and smile, despite what had just happened to them.
Please do pray for those affected, many have lost everything, over 100 people were killed here and nearly as many in Iligan, 50 miles west of here. Temporarily people are staying in schools and sports centres or with relatives. We are helping some friends rescue what they can from their house and move it tomorrow.
Thank you for your prayers and love
Eric & Sandra
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