'Opong' whips Cebu; hundreds stranded, 1,000 families evacuated
A GAS station and hardware store were damaged in a landslide in San Fernando town, Cebu province, on Friday, Sept. 26. (Photo courtesy of Analyn Tapinit Generalao)
CEBU CITY – Hundreds were stranded while close to 1,000 families were evacuated as Cebu province felt the effects of severe tropical storm ‘’Opong’’ on Friday, Sept. 26.
In Camotes Island, a fisherman was rescued after he went missing at dawn on Thursday, Sept. 25.
The weather was still fine when Erick Tindog, 35, and two other fishermen set out for sea. They were heading back to shore when they encountered huge waves.
While the two other fishermen were able to make it to the shore of Barangay Cagcagan, Poro, Tindog went missing.
The incident was reported to authorities, prompting Coast Guard personnel to conduct a search and rescue operation.
Tindog was found floating in the sea at dawn Friday. He said he survived by tying himself to the damaged boat.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said 977 families or 3,952 individuals were brought to evacuation centers in northern Cebu.
While some evacuees were able to return home, hundreds of families in Madridejos, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Tudela, Santa Fe, and Bantayan remain in evacuation centers.
Some 217 passengers, 112 cargoes, and four vessels were stranded in various ports in northern and central Cebu.
In Minglanilla, a house was damaged after a tree toppled and fell on it. A landslide was reported in San Fernando.
No injuries or deaths were reported as of Friday evening, Sept. 26.