EARLY preparations, and being spared of being in the path of storm Yolanda's fury, minimized loss of lives and properties in the northern and northeastern part of Mindanao, disaster and relief agencies would say.
Only one death was recorded, in Surigao del Sur's coastal village of Lingig, when an electric post fell on a fisherman trying to salvage his floating banca. Incidentally, the victim was already in the evacuation center but decided to return to the coast after sea waters rose and pounded on the coast.
Overall, about 18,000 residents in the Caraga Region, comprised by the two Surigao and two Agusan provines, sought shelter in different evacuation centers, mainly public gymnasium, public schools and in houses of relatives.
A bigger number, more than 70,000, also moved away from the coastal areas of Misamis Oriental, which was one the heavily battered areas in 2011 when a weaker typhoon Sendong, but carrying more rains, sent floodwaters cascading though its mountains, carrying logs, and smashed through their way to sea, carrying people and properties.
Several hours after Yolanda made its landfall in Eastern Samar at 9:00 am Friday, evacuees from the two Surigao provinces already began returning to their homes, except for those living in the island province of Dinagat off Surigao del Norte, which was near the typhoon path.
"Yolanda did not create much negative impact in the Agusan side of the Caraga Region, except for continued heavy downpour. Only a few areas, in fact, were flooded," said.Liza Mazo, director for the Caraga Region of the Office of Civil Defense.
Only moderately strong winds were felt and scarttered raincloud formations were seen elsewhere down south of Mindanao, and classes were not called off in Davao City, in the southeastern part of Mindanao. Many classes though, were not full of their pupils and students, as the projected fury of the storm scared many residents.
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