Tornado destroys 39 houses in Iloilo City; two persons hurt

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Joseph B.A. Marzan

Houses were destroyed, trees were uprooted, and utility posts were toppled down after a tornado hit a portion of Arevalo district, Iloilo City amidst heavy rains early morning of Jan 3, 2023.

Several houses were blown away at barangays Sto. Domingo and Sta. Cruz.

Based on the latest data from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Urban Search and Rescue (CDRRMO-USAR), 15 houses were damaged while 6 were destroyed at Sto. Domingo and 11 were damaged and 7 were destroyed in Sta. Cruz.

Aside from families that were left homeless, two persons were also injured.

Vilma Villarete, 63, and his grandson, 9-year-old Rolly John Villarete, of Sta. Cruz village, were hurt after strong winds toppled a mango tree and fell on their house.

Vilma said she and her grandson were sleeping in the same room while the boy’s father and pregnant mother were occupying the adjacent room.

At around 5:39 a.m., they were awakened by a loud thud.

Vilma managed to get out of the house with only scratches on her head.

It took two hours for rescuers to pull out the boy who sustained injuries on his shoulder and head.

Both are in stable condition.

According to Jan Hermie Baron, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) 6 weather observer, the tornado that hit Arevalo district was caused by the trough of the low-pressure area (LPA) affecting Visayas.

Prior to the tornado, PAGASA-6 issued a heavy rainfall warning affecting Iloilo City and nearby areas.

Based on meteorological data, Baron said that rain showers and strong winds are to be expected until January 5.

On what would be the first day of normal work in 2023 on Tuesday, January 3, residents in Barangays Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz in Iloilo City’s Arevalo district woke up to a tornado damaging several homes in their areas.

A report by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as of 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday indicated that the typhoon struck Sto. Domingo and a portion of Sta. Cruz at around 5:30 a.m., knocking down trees, an electrical post, and damaged several houses.

Clearing of knocked-down trees and damaged poles and structures was conducted by the CDRRMO-Urban Search and Rescue, Iloilo City Police Office, Iloilo Citizen’s Action Group-Volunteer Fire Brigade, and MORE Power.

In his regular press conference, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government has given food and non-food assistance to affected families, and financial assistance of P10,000 (totally-damaged) and P7,000 (partially-damaged) is currently being considered.

Data by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) as of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday indicated that there were a total of 86 families and 430 individuals affected by the tornado.

This includes 42 families and 210 individuals in Brgy. Sto. Domingo and 44 families and 220 individuals in Brgy. Sta. Cruz.

Evacuees have been staying in designated centers including the Sto. Domingo barangay hall and the Sta. Cruz barangay chapel and daycare center.

Food assistance provided to them include 2,500 kilograms of rice and 1,320 cans of sardines.

The tornado also came on the heels of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) which brought between light to heavy rains in the Visayas and Mindanao, which prompted Treñas to suspend classes from pre-school to senior high school on Tuesday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) Weather Advisory No. 4 issued at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday indicated that the LPA was still outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.