Netizens share ordeal ‘Uwan’ caused in Bicol region

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- As Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) battered the Bicol region on Sunday, residents shared on social media real-time weather updates and their troubles in their areas.

Catanduanes and parts of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur experienced extreme, life-threatening conditions throughout the day, with sustained wind speeds reaching 185 kilometers per hour under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 in some provinces.

The rest of the Bicol region was caught in Uwan’s violent rainband, and state weather bureau Pagasa raised TCWS No. 4 over the remainder of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, and the northeastern portion of Albay.

TCWS No. 3 was issued for the rest of Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao, and Burias Islands, while TCWS No. 2 was issued for the rest of Masbate.

Facebook users shared real-time video-and photo updates from their locations.

Facebook user Juvanie Peramide Sombilon posted a video, saying, “Dito sa Catanduanes sobrang lakas ng hangin. Natumba na ang mga bahay at niyog! [Here in Catanduanes, the winds are so strong. Houses and coconut trees have fallen!]”

Another user, Vince Pallen, shared a video of the rapidly rising floodwaters in Barangay Masarawag, Guinobatan in Albay province, captioning it, “Sitwasyon sa Masarawag. Biglang lakas ng baha! [Situation in Masarawag. Flash flood!]”

A third user, Karen Quinto, wrote, “Naglinog ba? Or nauyog ra akong balay sa hangin?” [Was there an earthquake? Or was my house just shaken by the wind?]

Coincidentally, a magnitude-3.2 earthquake shook Quinto’s island town of Burias while it was being pummeled by Uwan.

Strong winds and heavy rain also impacted Burias overnight as TCWS No. 3 was raised for the island. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)