THE TSUNAMI alert raised around the world after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile in South America has elicited various reactions, even panic, here in Eastern Visayas where four provinces were included.
The tsunami alert has caused a wave of evacuation from coastal areas in the four provinces, even those not facing the Pacific.
Some were incensed, angry at the “false alarm” or “exaggerated reporting”, while others said it was “better safe than sorry”.
To recall, residents of Ormoc and nearby towns were jolted by a strong but short quake mid-afternoon of Saturday, February 27.
The quake, reports state, was felt almost all over the world with the strongest and longest tremors felt in Chile, causing billions of damage and affecting an estimated 1.5-million people.
The Philvolcs located the Philippine tremor as originating at around 11 kilometers northeast of Ormoc City, with a 4.3 magnitude and around 5 kilometers underground. It happened at 3:34 PM.
It was also felt in Butuan City in Mindanao, around a minute later or at 3:35. It was a gentler one, at 3.3-magnitude. Unbeknown then was that it was just an effect of a bigger quake that happened halfway across the globe.
Included in the tsunami alert were the provinces of Leyte (where Ormoc City is geographically located), Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Southern Leyte. The alert was hoisted in several countries facing the Pacific, as big waves made their way throughout the globe.
The tsunami waves were expected to reach the Philippines at 2:00 PM of Sunday, February 28, a good 24 hours after the Chile quake happened. By morning of Sunday, the alert was raised to Level 2, which advises people to keep off the coastal areas.
In Isabel, Leyte, it was learned that residents of coastal areas like Barangay Lawis vacated their homes in anticipation of the giant waves. One resident complained that vendors at the public market closed shop early, after a warning was announced.
Others commented on their Facebook accounts that the feeling of panic was almost contagious, even if they were closely monitoring ANC, CNN, Fox News for updates.
Meanwhile, a report from the Philippine Information Agency indicates that the “panic” was not unique to Isabel town.
“In San Jose, Dulag, Leyte, for one, the people were evacuated to the nearby Burauen town since 11:30 in the evening of February 27 (Saturday yet), making the big barangay virtually a ghost barangay”, the PIA report said.
It was also learned that during that time, the alert raised was still Level 1 which means no evacuation order was in effect.
Meanwhile, an Ormocana who is now staying in Saipan, kept friends here abreast of what was also happening in their part of the world. She said they were evacuated on Sunday morning yet.
She said people who didn’t want to evacuate had no choice because policemen, rangers, and medics were everywhere, knocking on doors and telling people to move to higher grounds.” Who wouldnt?!?!!? With all the sirens and the announcements.. and the police car and fire trucks on the road… some police officers even knock on your doors!!!! and you wouldnt really wanna be the only one left when everybody is already driving going to higher grounds…”, she posted.
The tsunami waves were estimated to hit the island at around noon of Sunday.
Sources reaching this writer from other places also indicated the same feeling of dread pervading everywhere. At the Visayas State University in Baybay City, students and teachers were watchful for big waves or “unusual” sea currents. An academe community, they should know better that Camotes Sea is not included in the alert zones.
In Borongan City, the editor of Eastern Samar Reporter, a sister publication of EV Mail, reported also of massive evacuations of coastal areas. He said that people who had relations living in higher grounds preferred to stay with their relatives. Some evacuated as early as Saturday, after Level 1 was hoisted. The evacuees only returned later in the evening of Sunday, when they were sure that “the coast was clear”.
He said his sources also added the same scenario prevailed in Northern Samar. Both Eastern Samar and Northern Samar face the Pacific, and the waves there are gigantic already without a tsunami, and even on good days. Some areas of Eastern Samar are known as surfing paradise.
But on Sunday, February 28, even as Level 2 was already hoisted, Calvin Rosellosa of the SuperCat said that none of their trips were cancelled. “All our masters were advised to be extra cautious and to report any unusual signs. Our routes are not affected and out of danger”, he said.
Those in imminent danger of the tsunami waves are coastal areas facing the Pacific. In Leyte, these would be the coasts of Dulag and Abuyog, where a tsunami warning system have already been installed around a year ago and vulnerable villages underwent training on how to recognize the signs and what to do. By Lalaine M. Jimenea
