20 families evacuated in coastal Isabela town amid flood threat

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

INQUIRER FILES

CAUAYAN CITY — As a preemptive measure, 20 families (72 people) were evacuated from coastal Palanan town, Isabela, on Wednesday (Oct. 23), as strong winds and heavy rains caused rivers to swell due to Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami).

The evacuees, who were from areas near the sea, were taken to evacuation centers where they received food packs and household supplies, according to Palanan’s assistant disaster risk reduction officer, John Bert Neri.

READ: 617 people evacuated as Kristine triggers flood in La Union

While infrastructure damage has been reported, authorities are still in the process of validating the extent.

Five overflow bridges—Gucab and Annafunan in Echague, Alicaocao in Cauayan City, and Baculud and Cabiseria 8 in Ilagan City—were rendered impassable due to flooding.

The Turod-Banquero bridge in Reina Mercedes also remained closed for repairs.

In nearby Quirino province, the Villa Sur-San Pedro bridge in Aglipay was closed to motorists after the Addalam River overflowed.

Despite these conditions, some locals ventured out in search of food.

Joe Medrano, a 40-year-old fisherman from Gamu town, expressed his need to fish despite the storm, saying,

“We will die if I don’t go out and look for food,” although he noted that fish have become scarce as rivers have turned murky.

For 58-year-old junk buyer Simplicio Ferrer, braving the weather was a necessity to provide for his family.

“It’s needed for my family and my children’s education,” he said. INQ

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan