Photo by Jephunie Barraca Valete, Isulan MDRRMO
COTABATO CITY—Balls of ice accompanied strong winds and a downpour on Friday in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat, toppling trees and electric posts.
It was a sunny afternoon in Isulan on Friday afternoon when suddenly heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds coming from the east swept through the town center, said Isulan municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer Edwin Escleto.
“The hail storm came quickly and left quickly,” he added.
Escleto said the hour-long freak weather event happened at around 3 p.m.
Photo by Jephunie Barraca Valete, Isulan MDRRMO
Huge trees were toppled and hit several parked vehicles along the national highway, several houses, and a gas station.
The strong winds brought down the ceiling of another gas station and ripped off the roof of some residences.
The local disaster management office initially counted some 20 houses, roadside stores and business establishments that were damaged.
“Ice as huge as pingpong balls fell on our roofs, we can hear it loud,” Alejandro Bendejo, owner of a store along the highway, said.
“There was no tornado, only strong winds that swept through several homes, it came quick and left quickly too,” Bendejo said in the vernacular.
At least 20 houses, roadside stores and business establishments were damaged.
Escleto said at least two persons were slightly injured when hit by falling tree branches.