It had been pouring non-stop for about 36 hours when, at 11pm on Thursday (8 October), Jose Garcia and his family heard a strange noise on the other side of the flood water dyke. Together with some of the other men he decided to brave the rain to see what was going on. But already it was too late; water was pouring over the top of the dyke, "within two minutes" says Jose, "we were up to our waists in muddy water. The houses that had been on the top of the dyke were gone, and we couldn't see the people."He worked quickly to evacuate his family to the roof and to salvage as much food and belongings as they could, but as they reached the roof a "huge explosion" filled the dark, stormy night. Jose thought that the bridge some 4km away had collapsed, but almost instantly he noticed that the flood waters were receding, and then he realised why. A section of the dyke, which had been about 6m high and 15m wide had collapsed. A section of about 40m long had just disappeared and the waters had taken the 17 houses that were located on it with them. The realisation of this was just sinking in when they heard similar noises from the opposite direction - but in the dark Jose could only guess at what was going on.
In the light of day, whilst it was still raining, they realised that three sections of the dyke had imploded, causing the flood waters to flow through into the low lying rice fields. 42 houses were lost, but no lives. 100 people had fled to a large house just before the sections had collapsed, and whilst the house was now an island surrounded by raging waters, they were safe.
In the light of day, whilst it was still raining, they realised that three sections of the dyke had imploded, causing the flood waters to flow through into the low lying rice fields. 42 houses were lost, but no lives. 100 people had fled to a large house just before the sections had collapsed, and whilst the house was now an island surrounded by raging waters, they were safe. Apparently earlier on the Thursday the rain had caused the nearby river to overflow. Then the dam burst its barriers, and emptied 5000-6000 cubic meters of water per second into the floodway.
Together these caused a 5m high wave to come rushing down the flood way, eventually destroying sections of the dyke and hundreds of houses. Jose's neighbours had lost everything; his house, 
though under waist high water, was still standing. For three days no one could get to them. The helicopter plucked a couple of people from the water, but could not operate safely, and the rescue boats couldn't be deployed because of the current. No one had eaten for three days and everyone was cold. But at last, 66 year old Jose could get into his house, and he dragged his sacks of rice out and with his family lit a fire and began boiling rice. For three days he fed between 20-40 people three meals a day - just plain rice, everything else was spoilt.
though under waist high water, was still standing. For three days no one could get to them. The helicopter plucked a couple of people from the water, but could not operate safely, and the rescue boats couldn't be deployed because of the current. No one had eaten for three days and everyone was cold. But at last, 66 year old Jose could get into his house, and he dragged his sacks of rice out and with his family lit a fire and began boiling rice. For three days he fed between 20-40 people three meals a day - just plain rice, everything else was spoilt. No NGO or Government agency was willing to try and access these people; when the local Salvos arrived they were the first Aid in, and the sight was welcome. Jose says, "I was just finishing my last rice supplies when Major arrived - he brought rice, bananas and sardines - I was so happy to see him."
It's men and women like Jose that are the heroes of the typhoon devastation in the Philippines. The Salvos have had the privilege of working with these people to feed over 6,000 families in the Northern Luzon area and over 50,000 people in all the affected areas.
It's men and women like Jose that are the heroes of the typhoon devastation in the Philippines. The Salvos have had the privilege of working with these people to feed over 6,000 families in the Northern Luzon area and over 50,000 people in all the affected areas.
