Holy Typhoon!

[Knottygirlz]

Today Manila was hit with a Cat 3 Typhoon. We were already at work when the worst of it hit today but seeing roofs, trees, billboards and everything else imaginable airborn was quite a frightening experience.

Power has been off in much of Manila since mid morning but both our office and hotel are using emergency generators for now. I have no idea how long that will last. My group has some digital pictures that they took and I will post them during the next day or 2. We are currently sitting in the eye of the storm, I think and waiting for it to start up in it's full intensity again at any time.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAN15043.htm

And here I thought all I had to worry about were big bugs and volcanoes....

Lori

[delmarrey]

It looks like we just got out of there in the nick of time. On our way to the airport it was raining so hard some steets were like rivers. Then when we were in the air the pilot said there was a typhoon on our tail.

We called the family an hour ago and they said schools and most businesses were closed. But they are doing OK

Lori, l just started cold symptoms about 6 hours ago. Hope your doing better!

Looks like the storm is heading to Viet Nam.

[Alan Wheeler]

What are you two doing in Asia? Holiday or work??

[Knottygirlz]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

What are you two doing in Asia? Holiday or work??

Alan,

I am almost half way through a 4 week work assignment in Manila.

Lori

[Knottygirlz]

Delmarry,

I'm glad to hear that the 2 of you managed to get out just in the nick of time! I wondered about you guys this morning.....My cold got much worse after Saturday and I have had to seek medical attention. A nurse now comes twice per day to administer treatments, but I am starting too feel better. Please give my regards to Lena!

Lori

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

What are you two doing in Asia? Holiday or work??

Alan,
We had to support and attend my Mother-in-law's funeral and take care of other related family problems.

Now that I'm back and opened the mail, I've been summons for jury duty. Ever since late July I've only been to work 10 days The work load is really piling up

Lori,
I wondered how you would be doing. The tropics, aircon and strorms are a bad combo. One December I was up North in Tuguegarao when a storm came thru. The whole night EVERYTHING was wet, the walls, ceilings and the beds too. The next morning and days after, it seemed, half the population was caughing.

Paradise is only paradise on the nice days, the rest is close to hell. I still have a cup I bought in Subic Bay 35 years ago that has the statement printed on the side "Just another S**ty in paradise"..................._/)

[delmarrey]

Here's the satellite picture just 3 hours before we were flying out of Manila.

http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/g...0.0500.2km.jpg

[Knottygirlz]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Here's the satellite picture just 3 hours before we were flying out of Manila.

http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/g...0.0500.2km.jpg

Looks like you just got out in time! I went all over the city today, riding in a taxi, jeepani and bus and there is widespread damage throughout all of Manila. Not a single billboard is left standing and several of the deaths happened when they toppled. People are cleaning up all over and smiling the whole time! I have to admire this city's resilience!

Lori