2 hurt, hundreds flee as tornado hits Davao City

Davao City. GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE

DAVAO CITY – A tornado swept through a coastal village in this city on Sunday evening, toppling trees and tearing roofs that injured two people, police and disaster officials said.

Over 300 people fled to the village covered court as the whirlwind streaked across several communities in Barangay (Village) Lapu-lapu in Agdao district shortly after 8:45 p.m., according to Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao police regional office.

Cellphone videos posted by residents on social media showed a white funnel-like vortex over the Agdao skyline as lightning flashed around it.

Witnesses said the twister skimmed over the water before hitting land.

Water tornadoes are also known as waterspouts.

Pre-emptive evacuations were immediately carried out by barangay authorities amid rumors the sea had receded and that a tsunami may follow.

Franz Irag, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense in Southern Mindanao, clarified there was no threat of tsunami as no large offshore earthquake occurred.

Village officials said they had yet to determine the number of houses destroyed or damaged by the tornado.

Billy Erno, 60, was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) after she was hit by a flying GI sheet roofing that had been peeled off, Driz said.

Power was cut for several hours as electric wires were hit by downed trees.

The displaced families were sent home as authorities gave the all-clear signal around 9:30 p.m., the police spokesperson said. /cbb