15,000 families affected as floods hit La Union town

Over 15,000 families living in Luna town in La Union are in need of water and food donations after their homes were ravaged by Severe Tropical Storm Maring, which has moved away from the Philippines.

According to JP Soriano's "24 Oras" report on Wednesday, several residents in the town feared for their lives as the weather disturbance hit several Luzon areas on Monday.

This includes Gibson Estabillo, who witnessed their roof being torn off by the severe tropical storm.

"Back to zero na, ngayon ko lang na experience 'yan. (We are back to zero. I have not experienced anything like this before)," said a teary-eyed Estabillo.

Another Luna resident, Ariel Corpuz, said he had to use a water container as a floater to save his three-year-old kid from drowning.

Meanwhile, Luna Mayor Rachel Pinzon said they already issued several warnings to their constituents about the weather condition but they did not expect that the damage would get worse.

"We were not expecting po na ganito kalala po ang epekto, (that the effect will be this worse.)," said Pinzon.

Pinzon said that aside from food and potable water, their constituents also need blankets.

Over 200 residents are currently staying at evacuation centers in Luna after the severe tropical storm's wrath.

Latest government figures showed 11 people died while seven were missing during the onslaught of Maring.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News