ABUCAY, Bataan- There was very strong wind but light rains when tropical storm Glenda passed Bataan Wednesday morning.
The strong wind did not produce the feared storm surge but caused seawater to overflow and flooded low-lying villages and even portions of the MacArthur Highway in Samal and Abucay towns. Affected residents of Barangay Wawa, Abucay said the strong wind produced big waves but only in the sea.
Antonio Izon, 68, said about 30 houses made of bamboo in Sitio Pulo, Wawa were destroyed by big, strong waves but the seawater was no longer turbulent after crossing mangroves. “Bandang alas-9 ng umaga nang biglang tumaas ang tubig sa dagat at lumaki ang mga alon na sumira sa aming bahay,” said Marlon Hullera, 32.
Jocela Sulit, 77, said the water rose waistdeep so they decided to evacuate to the Abucay church. Ofelia Andres, municipal social welfare and development officer, said more than 1,000 persons from 168 families coming from Barangay Wawa sought temporary shelter in the church where they were given rations of rice, canned goods and noodles.
“Kanya-kanya silang punta sa simbahan dahil sobra raw laki ng tubig at natakot sila sa balitang storm surge,” the social welfare officer said.
