Families get aid after whirlwind damages houses in Ilocos Sur

Families in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, whose homes were damaged by a whirlwind, received housing materials from the municipal government to help them repair and rebuild their houses. The assistance was provided as tornadoes or tornado-like winds battered several parts of the province on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 —Photo courtesy of LGU Magsingal SAN ILDEFONSO, ILOCOS SUR, Philippines — Families whose homes were damaged by a recent whirlwind in Masingal town received housing materials from the municipal government to help them repair their houses and recover from the weather-related incident. The local government unit of Magsingal distributed the materials to affected families from several barangays as part of its recovery and rehabilitation efforts. At least 60 houses in the province were either damaged or destroyed by strong winds, government records showed. Article continues after this advertisement The assistance came as tornadoes or tornado-like winds battered several parts of Ilocos Sur over Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, damaging houses and other structures and sending roofing materials and debris flying. READ: Another tornado hits Ilocos Sur, rips off roofs In San Ildefonso, a tornado struck Barangay Pudoc Norte at about 12:10 a.m. on Sept. 1, tearing off the roof of a house. No injuries were reported. Tornado-like winds were also reported in nearby Caoayan, while strong winds damaged houses and structures in Cabugao, Sinait and Narvacan. In Cabugao, strong winds swept through the town at about 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, with videos shared by residents showing roofing materials and debris being lifted by the winds. Article continues after this advertisement A similar incident was reported in Barangay Zapat in Sinait, while five beach cottages in Barangay Sulvec, Narvacan, were damaged. In Bantay, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted inspections and clearing operations in areas affected by the reported tornado. Response teams removed debris and other obstructions and monitored conditions to ensure public safety and keep roads and public areas accessible. Article continues after this advertisement The incidents occurred amid the prevailing southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which has been bringing periods of heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Northern Luzon. Local authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage in affected communities. No fatalities or injuries had been reported from the tornado-related incidents as of the latest reports. —KENNETH P. TABIN/CONTRIBUTOR Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.