Motorist rescued from northern Cebu town flood

CEBU CITY—A motorist was rescued on Saturday after his car was swept by floodwaters in Barangay Poblacion, Daanbantayan town, about 131 kilometers north of here.

At least 20 families were also evacuated after floodwaters reached above knee level in Barangays Poblacion, Malingin, Talisay, Maya, Tapilon and Agujo.

Flaviano Moralde Jr., 60, held on to a mangrove tree for two hours before he was rescued by policemen and volunteers around 7:30 a.m., said Vice Mayor Gilbert Arrabis Jr. of Daanbantayan.

Flood hit seven villages of Daanbantayan on Saturday when a river overflowed due to heavy rains on Friday night.

Moralde, who came from his house in Barangay Tominhao, was driving his car to the terminal where he was to take a bus for Cebu City.

He was about to park his car at the public market, which was beside the terminal, when his vehicle was swept by floodwaters, said Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro.