Leon leaves trail of damage in Batanes

MANILA, Philippines—As Super Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) started moving away from Batanes on Thursday, Oct. 31, the damage it left to the province, still reeling from the rage of Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon), became clearer.

Signal No. 5 was hoisted over Itbayat and Basco as the typhoon brought “violent conditions” while passing close to Batanes. The rest of the province was on Signal No. 4.

Leon carried with it maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h. Storm signal in the province has been downgraded to Signal No. 3 as of 11 a.m on Thursday.

Batanes is still reeling from the impact of Julian last September 30 which left damage estimated at P600 million and a declaration of a state of calamity by Gov. Marilou Cayco on October 2.

The damage from Julian was so severe that Bishop Danilo Ulep, of the Prelature of Infanta, asked for help, saying that Batanes was once again visited by a strong typhoon. Almost 1,500 homes were destroyed.

Exactly a month later, Leon battered Batanes, leaving residents with no option but to confront the aftermath of the typhoon, which is the 12th to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.

Here’s a look at the damage left by Leon, especially to Sta. Maria de Mayan Parish and Port Paganaman in Itbayat town, as shared by Carl Jenkin Gonzales: