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The Great Flood of 2009



September 26, 2009 – Typhoon Ondoy hits Metro Manila. Everyone thought it was just going to be another typhoon. One of the many many such storms that pass through this tropical country.

When I woke up at 430AM, the creek in front of our house had already risen and spilled over to the road. My mom asked me to check if the water was receding so my dad could bring the cars back down to our level. No – instead of receding back to the creek, the water level had actually risen. It was just a few feet away from kuya’s car. We woke dad up. He waded through the water and moved the car to safety.

At around 8AM (probably earlier), when I checked again, the water was gone.

At 9AM, the rain hasn’t stopped, and the water was rising – rapidly. After having breakfast, I took my camera out and snapped photos. I was surprised that the water was more than waist deep already out there on what was the road.

Ondoy 004

My cousins were preparing for the inevitable flood – and my nephew was still in good spirits to smile for me:

Ondoy 006

None of us thought that this would be more than just the usual flooding. Who would’ve known that our house, built with the highest flood recorded here in mind, would be chest-deep in water? And that the three-door apartment’s first floor would be completely submerged in water? That’s where my cousins and grandpa live. Who would who would have thought that we would wait until the next morning to see land again?

I would love to share more of my family’s version of the Great Flood of 2009. But I have other things in my mind just now.

No time to worry about my blog, of lost earning opportunities, nor of superficial concerns like acne, nor of getting my hands and feet dirty. It’s four days since the waters receded, and we’re still not done cleaning up. I went back to work last night, and I wish I hadn’t. But I did, and to work I shall be tonight. Which means instead of helping out in the cleaning, to bed I go. Maybe tomorrow, the photos will be ready for posting.

Please consider donating and/or volunteering for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. A lot of people were more devastated than we were.

Here’s some info on how you can help: http://www.google.com/landing/typhoon-ondoy.html

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm and is filed under Causes - click to donate, Issues of the day, Weekend. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

8 Responses to “The Great Flood of 2009”

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Badet October 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 am

It was a really shocking news. Everybody came unprepared. Let’s all pray that this won’t happen again and typhoon Pepeng will not hit land. Only God can help us…
.-= Badet´s last blog ..My thoughts when donating relief goods =-.

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wenk. October 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

am glad to hear that you guys are okay, at least. that’s what’s most important :)
.-= wenk.´s last blog ..The After Effects. =-.

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Another Blogger October 6th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Sorry to hear that. But nature not show it kindness anymore to the human :(
.-= Another Blogger´s last blog ..Leaving Comment : The Benefits =-.

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Toe October 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

My goodness! Your house got hit badly! I hope you’re fine. Stay safe Verabear!
.-= Toe´s last blog ..Of Morning Routines, Work-Related Temper, Representing the Philippines and My New Blogging Strategy =-.

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verabear Reply:

Oh yes, wait til you see my other photos. I have one posted here: http://www.verabear.net/digitalmemories/2009/10/05/ondoy/

Thanks Toe, and I hope your family wasn’t badly hit

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Ed October 8th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Even though tragedy has stuck, we Filipinos still find time to be happy about something.

My cam’s still broken, though. :)
.-= Ed´s last blog ..sun is up =-.

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The {Newbie} Photographer » Read up: Photography Magazines June 9th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

[...] have been sold out, people (like me) are still looking for copies. We once bought an issue, but the great flood damaged it [...]

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