Flashflood destroys 7 houses in Oro

SEVEN houses were washed out while more than a hundred were damaged when a flashflood hit Barangay Tablon on Friday.

Engineer Armin Cuenca, Oro Alert incident commander, said a concerned citizen informed them of the flood and immediately dispatched a team to rescue the affected residents who were living near the riverbanks.

The owners of the seven houses were identified as Helen Tedlos from Purok 4, Teofelo Cabunay, Edwin Benilayo and Ruben Ubihun from Purok 13, Inday Cabigcas, Aden Lintukan and Reynante Bidad from Purok 1A.

Cuenca said some of the affected families were temporarily housed at the Tablon Day Care Center while some sought refuge at their friends and relatives.

He said the victims were given relief goods such as food, water, clothes and linens.

Cuenca said the flashflood was brought by the quick rise of water from the river that started at around 8 p.m.

He denied that the flashflood was due to the intensity 4 earthquake that hit Cagayan de Oro Friday night, as what was earlier reported.

“I have already warned some residents who did not left their houses to evacuate as preventive measures since the city is now experiencing strong rains every now and then and that flashfloods might occur again,” Cuenca said.

He assured that the Oro Alert and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council are now prepared to efficiently deliver assistance during calamities.

Cuenca said they are available 24 hours a day. Residents may call them at 857-5020 and 166 for any emergency.

Related to this, Cuenca advised the residents to stay calm and listen to the right authorities for any announcement.

Some residents in the city panicked Saturday morning after a text message circulated that said the city will experience another earthquake and non-stop rains. (Nicole J. Managbanag)