4,000 homes destroyed following storm surge in Southern Leyte town

At least 4,000 houses were destroyed following a storm surge in Sogod, Southern Leyte.

According to the local officials, the storm surge that happened during Typhoon Odette's onslaught on Thursday reached at least five meters.

“Malaki talaga yung destruction lalo na sa mga bahay bahay sa coastal barangays and upland barangays. Aabot yata siguro ng 4,000 families yung mga bahay na totally damaged,” Sogod Mayor Imelda Uy-Tan said on Cedric Castillo’s 24 Oras Weekend report on Saturday.

(It caused extensive damage, particularly to houses in coastal and upland barangays. The homes of some 4,000 families were totally damaged.)

There were no communication signals in the area, making it difficult to determine the extent of the typhoon's destruction.

Uy-Tan appealed for assistance as the supply of relief goods would not last until Christmas.

“We are appealing to the national government lalo na sa ating presidente na matulungan kami lalo na sa pagkain,” she said.

(We are appealing to the national government, especially to our President, to help us, especially with food.)

Meanwhile, a number of residents were returning to their houses along the coast.

“Malungkot na po kasi wala ng sariling bahay, wala ng mga gamit, walang hanapbuhay,” a resident said.

(It was sad because the typhoon destroyed our houses, appliances, and we don't have a job.)

The report said at least two deaths were recorded in Sogod due to Odette.

Death toll in Western Visayas

In Western Visayas, at least eight people were reported dead because of the typhoon, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 said.

A security guard and a woman were killed by falling trees in Iloilo, according to a report by John Consulta on Saturday.

Two senior citizens also died after they were hit by a falling tree in Sibunag, Guimaras, while four deaths were recorded in Negros Occidental.

The typhoon also damaged several houses in Negros Occidental and Iloilo.  — Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News