Looking for damage information for Norther Samar

[kev_n_jena 89]

Jena and I are seeking information on Laoang, Northern Samar about 80 miles north of Tacloban. We just heard the red cross estimate 1,200 dead from Yolanda/Haiyan. If anyone knows of a blog, chatroom, or message board with information about the typhoon, please let us know. We don't expect phone service to be available for quite some time.

Thanks,

[D N Medellin COL 75]

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in this region from this devastation. I too just saw the news release and the damage and loss of life is horrible.

[SoCalMark 49]

There are so many provinces without electricity still that communication is sparse and really not priority for anyone there. What information I have been getting in Bicol is coming via Twitter from expats. The rest of the region has been flattened and relatives here have been three days without communicating with family.

[kev_n_jena 89]

Just our own estimation from watching all the news reports, we figure (hope) that 60-80 miles north of the eye the winds shouldn't have been more than 80 mph. Jena's mother, father, and siblings live there. We were planning to travel there in December but obviously that is on hold until we find out more.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Keep an eye on the news sites (ABSCBN, Inquirer, etc.) or watch ANC online.

Really hard to get reports from actual people on the ground because electricity is out and phone signal is still being worked on. Even rescue workers are having a hard time to reach the affected areas.

[kev_n_jena 89]

We just got incredible news! Jena's family is fine and cell phone service is up. Electricity is still down. Their house is fine too although some neighbors surely had some damage to nipa huts.

Rawis & Laoang, N. Samar had PSWS 2 60kph-100kph (37mph-62mph) according to Jena's mother.

Our prayers go out to all those impacted by this terrible storm.

[sjr09 155]

My wifes family is in Biliran as of now no cell phone connection and no word on her family Biliran is about two hours by taxi from Tacloban.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Good to hear they are ok. Glad the dodged the worst.

[kev_n_jena 89]

My wifes family is in Biliran as of now no cell phone connection and no word on her family Biliran is about two hours by taxi from Tacloban.

I had to look at google maps to find Biliran. There are other members on VJ that have family there too I think. That's a tough spot in this situation to say the very least. Our prayers are with you guys.

[OneSoulMate 2]

My wife is from Mapanas. So far we have not been able to contact anyone. Two of her sisters from Manila are making the trip out there but if the CEL towers are out they won't be able to report back until they leave.

Glad to hear the towers are back up in Laoang, it gives us hope.

Does anyone know if power was restored in Catarman yet?

[kev_n_jena 89]

My wife is from Mapanas. So far we have not been able to contact anyone. Two of her sisters from Manila are making the trip out there but if the CEL towers are out they won't be able to report back until they leave.

Glad to hear the towers are back up in Laoang, it gives us hope.

Does anyone know if power was restored in Catarman yet?

We have friends with a house in Catarman but all we know is that there was no damage. We're planning on flying into Catarman sometime in December. I'm a little worried about what Manila will be like about 1 month from now.

My wife's mothers phone ran out of charge and we couldn't contact them for awhile after the towers were back up. Her father was able to charge it at work where they have a generator. Right after it was turned on it started ringing! Keep your phone charged next time Momma! We could have avoided hours of agony and not woke her up at 2am. Of course we are still so thankful!

I bet Mapanas is fine. Please give us the good new when it comes!

[kev_n_jena 89]

Still no power in Rawis, N. Samar. We had planned to travel there for Christmas this year and were probably 1 or 2 days from buying airline tickets when Yolanda struck. As it stands now, we will be postponing our trip. The people we've talked to don't expect to have power back any time soon.

We still haven't heard any news about our friends that had just bought a new house and were living in Tacloban. He is American permanent resident in Phils, she is Filipino. We don't really know what to think about it but most thoughts are not good.

[OneSoulMate 2]

We just heard back from two sisters who traveled to Mapanas and are now in Catarman. They say that Catarman has power and cell coverage. Mapanas is still without power and some estimates were of 2 months before it comes back online. Overall it seems to have survived the storm. The family is okay, we were not able to get many details because they were still traveling and did not have a strong connection. It would still be nice to be able to talk to the parents directly but this is great news and a big relief.

[kev_n_jena 89]

We just heard back from two sisters who traveled to Mapanas and are now in Catarman. They say that Catarman has power and cell coverage. Mapanas is still without power and some estimates were of 2 months before it comes back online. Overall it seems to have survived the storm. The family is okay, we were not able to get many details because they were still traveling and did not have a strong connection. It would still be nice to be able to talk to the parents directly but this is great news and a big relief.

Wow, what a relief for you both and all your family! It's so nice to hear good news after all the sad things we watch every day. I've heard the same estimates on power coming back.

The sisters must have went right past my wife's parents house in Rawis. Jena says she has distant relatives in Mapanas too. Cell coverage must be spotty in Rawis too, we've only been able to talk to her family once since the storm went through and now we can't reach them.

[JLhomme 0]

Hi everyone! Do you have more information about Mapanas?

The familly of a very dear friend live there!

Thanks in advance, have a great day!