A Storm Surge Not a Tsunami: Reality in the Philippines

A coconut oil tank that was lifted by the tidal surge and moved 1/4 mile hitting the home and killing a woman.

There is so much misinformation about the deadly typhoon in the Philippines and a major under reporting of the facts. Just today, I again met people who when it was stated I had just returned from the Philippines had little to no knowledge about the extent of the storm. The “storm surge” that hit the Philippines was as devastating as a tsunami, but because it has a different scientific beginning, effect, and name, people do understand that the effects were very much the same. Actually, in many ways it can be worse, as the “Typhoon” and “storm surge” left damage across entire path not just shoreline.

I spoke to Filipinos who said they didn’t fully understand the magnitude of a “storm surge” (would you?) and had the word tsunami been used, many lives may have been saved. It wasn’t a tsunami, so I understand the government not issuing a tsunami warning, but what a shame the term tsunami couldn’t have been used in comparison for the sake of educating and warning.

Here are some stats given me by our new Filipino volunteer, and used for a presentation at the University last weekend:

The deadliest Philippines Typhoon on record (BBC, 2013)
Strongest storm recorded at landfall (NDRRMC, 2014)
Unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed (Fischetti, 2013)
17 foot high storm surge (second story building)
10 million people affected
4.3 million displaced
22,000 were missing (Red Cross Estimates)
Dead, 6, 1,90 (Jan.3,2014- but bodies were still being found when I left on 1/24/14)
Missing is close to 2,000 Jan. 3, 2014 (But it is important to note that Filipinos will argue that the death toll only includes registered people and not many of the poor who were never registered or had family to report them as missing.)

I have decided that I wont rewrite my journal entries from my time there as many are more personal than I care to share, and it’s time for me to move forward into rebuilding, for my Filipino friends, and myself; however, I will write this last summary of combined thoughts from my journal, and to personalize the above statistics.

“As I think about my days and times here I have so many tales I would like to tell, yet understand the sacred place of confidentiality given to me as a chaplain. So many people have stories of the seas raging and waters rising as they fled to higher ground, only to have the seas continue to rise, trees toppling, debris blowing all around them, as they fled. Many died in the fleeing; babies torn out of the mothers arms by the force of the water; mothers dragged out of their children arms; roofs blowing off; good people rooting and being shot at during martial law because they had to be out at night desperate to find their family members, or food for their children; business destroyed; homes destroyed; schools destroyed; young adults giving up college who are now raising siblings without a home or regular job; entire families swept away…”

Then there are the survivor stories – trapped on a roof; inside a building not understanding how everything around them was destroyed but the one water tight room where they saw the water rise; fleeing with debris flying all around and no injuries; entire communities like San Jose, devastated, yet no one died – miraculously; family members swept away and thought to be gone, later found alive – and well. Miraculous. No rhyme or reason, no explanation, the just and the unjust.

The volunteers are amazing people – people who just want to be Jesus to those whose lives have been shattered – Jenny, Christy, Tarra and Nick, Tom, Alexie (only 16), Jen and Chris, Michelle, Aurora, Celine, Susan, my son-in-law Matt, Rhonda, Stephanie, Ching, and the Filipino midwives, so pained to see their own country suffering, Jen, Marlene, and April who I spent the majority of my time with. They are working, and hurting, and serving, and loving. Each one unique in their gifts and ministry of Jesus. I want to visit them again…Tano, serving selflessly, and representing Jesus more than most people I have ever known, June and Joel, working so hard, and so thankful to have a job. The Penwells – Vic, Ian, who just came back again, and Sean, who has come to serve with his family. This work would not be here if not for them. ( In my fatigue I am missing some people – it’s been a long day)

The strength and resilience of the Filipino people amaze me – their love, warmth, polite manner, joy, laughter in the face of difficulty, care for one another, patience, bravery, thankfulness, gratitude – every bit of help is treated like a million dollar venture – it was awe inspiring to be among people who became my friends and I could truly see, ‘there but for the grace of God go I.’ They are more than just people I met while here, they are my friends now – they are my daughters, my sons, Faye, Nerissa, Bryan… the community of San Jose. I will miss them when I leave. I will miss my Filipino family.

The faces of the children will stay with me forever. Especially the few that are with me daily – much of the day – calling to me, “Hello Lola,” or “May we have the ball Lola?” Their voices and smiles bring a joy to my heart that transcends all the destruction just beyond their little faces. John, Steve, Christian, John Michael, Nicole, Tricia… you’ll never really know how much you have changed my life – I am a better person for loving your little hearts during this season. I look forward to hearing your voices tomorrow morning calling, “Good Morning Lowla,” (in your “American accent, I’m told).