Cloud 9 Tower Destroyed
Last Thursday, Typhoon Odette made landfall in the Phillippines, causing widespread damage across the southern and central parts of the archipelago.
The system was first identified back on December 10th as a slow moving tropical depression. On the 13th, the depression deepened and the Japanese Meteorological Agency named it Typhoon Rai.
Rai maintained an east/west path towards the Philippines, with the Filipino government naming it Typhoon Odette (there exists no regional co-operation as there is between the Australian and Fijian met services).
Despite a Cat 2 landfall forecast, on the 15th, Odette underwent rapid intensification as it approached the coast and was revised to a Category 5 'Super Typhoon' classification - for a typhoon with winds above 120 knots/220 km/h.
This satellite image shows the eye of Typhoon Odette due east of Siargao Island. Subsequently, Siargao wore the full brunt of the Category 5 Super Typhoon.
It first crossed land at Siargao Island, with wind gusts reaching up to 180 knots - 333 km/h. The onslaught destroyed the tower at the Philippines most famous wave, Cloud 9, and caused widespead damage and loss of life.
At left is the tower in calmer times, while at right is what remains after Super Typhoon Odette
Super Typhoon Odette continued across the Philippines, weakening slightly to a Cat 4 as it approached the Sulu Sea before again reintensifying back to Cat 5 near the Spratly Islands. Odette is currently sending large surf to Vietnam, Malaysia, and the nearby Riau Islands.
It's only the third time a Super Typhoon has passed through the South China Sea. Also, Odette was only the second Super Typhoon to form in December.
In total, the UN expects 13 million people to be affected by Odette/Rai.
Comments
Historically, the understanding was that Siargao Is. was too far south to be in line for direct hits.
While typhoons are far less common for Siargao at latitude of 9 degrees north than Catanduanes Island at 14 degrees north, it is certainly not impossible.
Typhoon Bopha in 2012 was a Category 5 supertyphoon at 7 degrees north latitude in 2012 - further south than Siargao.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Bopha
Josie Predergast is an active Byron Bay and Siargao local (accomplished surfer) who is crowdfunding a response to provide aid directly to the community on the ground. Josie is in Siargao, survived the recent Typhoon, and has a solid record for providing resources to locals through her foundation work there.
https://gofund.me/20b52cf4
333 km per hour!
https://www.facebook.com/paaaaaangit06/posts/1730791850592425
Horrible.
So, so sad and it looks like it'll take a long time for them to recover. Hopefully they get water and power returned soon.
Yeah 333kph is crazy I have never gone that quick on a bike, 260kph saw me out and the wind at the speed when you sit up almost blows your off the bike. Imagine bits of corrugated steel flying around with that wind it would slice through any soft thing it hit. Frightening.
Here's the C9 forecast from last Thursday and Friday. Rocketing up and down.
Bit o' windswell contamination in the model data. I'd be cautious, and keep expectations low etc.
I'm not sure if anyone should make light of this situation - over 200 dead and human suffering has only just begun. Thousands need supplies of basic drinking water. It's doubtful that the Duterte Govt. can and will deliver aid to around 300,000 people in time...
Exposing the manipulation and morality of media oullets. Truth: hundreds of thousands loose there houses and businesses. Swellnet clickbait: Cloud 9 tower destroyed. Disgusting example of modern day media, Its an absolute tragedy what these people have been through about time you show some humility, and compassion.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-houses-for-my-siargao-families?utm...
I know how they feel poor buggers,I was in tacloban during typhoon hiayan, 300+ kph winds tsunami like storm surge,the city destroyed dead bodys everywhere, looting, complete chaos, it was the worst experience I ever had,I used to get excited seeing a cyclone or typhoon on the forecast now it just fills me with dread.its heartbreaking seeing this happen again and again to them.
SuperTyphoon 28W Odette/Rai was the largest storm to impact Siargao since Typhoon Ike in 1984.
All the tourism related development on the island has taken place since this 1984 storm. The damage has been extensive, including the famous pier and tower at Cloud 9 which were destroyed.
As noted, many residents have lost their homes and are struggling to obtain basics like food and clean water.
Your donations to a responsible charitable organization are much appreciated.
I feel so bad for the phillipino population..so many of my older east coast friends have been there and some married locals and seem devastated...Hopefully they recover..makes the cyclone that hit kalbarri very minor in comparison...makes living in Australia seem like such a privilege.
Australia gets more than its share of natural disasters mate. Don’t worry about that.
I wanted to add some places that are accepting donations if you can find it in your heart to help us rebuild our town: There are a lot of small projects to support and the first one on the list is a trusted local NGO that is organizing aid to the entire Island. Please feel free to reach out to me at: [email protected] if you have any questions. All donations will be spent wisely on Siargao's local residents trying to get a roof back over their heads and a regular transparency report will be sent around social media to show where we have done the spending of relief funds.
Lokallab: Raising general funds for the Siargao community and rebuilding effort
Paypal: [email protected]
Greenhouse’s effort to rebuild their staff's village:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/relief-for-our-friends-at-green-house-siargao
Paypal: [email protected]
SEA Movement Philippines: Local environmental non-profit. Contact: Marja Abad
Paypal: [email protected]
Puppy Puddle Siargao – Animal Shelter and care center in General Luna. Contact: Aleksandra Goldyn
Paypal: PPSiargao
Thank you for posting the donation links.
The word we're getting here in Davao City is describing a very dire situation for the people of Siargao and other regions hit by Odette (Rai). This is on top of the challenges the country's faced from Covid.
I was on the southern end of the storm at my house/office near the airport in Davao City monitoring the infrared radar of the Philippine weather service Pagasa
https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/
and also the Joint Typhoon warning center until we lost all mobile and internet services.
https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html
Watching the eye approaching Siargao and Cloud 9, I feared the worst. However, the footage, including a drone flyover, that's circulating across the Philippine's media is just heart breaking.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/22/21/its-no-more-odette-wipes-out-phil...
For years, I've believed in the potential of the Philippines as a laid back destination for surfers, digital nomads, creatives and other independent minded folks seeking alternatives to over-crowded destinations like Bali and Thailand and been personally invested here for over a decade. With the improvement of internet services in the last couple of years, it's now possible to work professionally from here within an affordable, active and enjoyable lifestyle.
In recent years, the secret's gotten out and the country was finally awaking onto the international scene just before Covid hit.
Even Dahican Beach to our northeast, with its modest waves more suited for skimboarding most of the year, has been gaining exposure.
https://nojuanisanisland.com/2015/05/09/dahican-beach-skimboarding-capit...
This tragedy comes at the heels of Siargao being voted the Top Island in Asia by Conde Nast Traveler's readers.
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2021/10/06/201821/con...
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/top-islands-readers-choice-awards-2020
Luckily, Filipinos are incredibly resilient; and hopefully, sufficient aid arrives quickly and reconstruction can begin as soon as possible. I will continue to promote living and working from here to those who understand that the value goes well beyond affordability.