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Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi) ravaged Mindanao, slamming it with devastating rains and unleashing flash floods and landslides that have left a horrifying trail of destruction. As of 10AM, the death toll has reached 497 (Cagayan De Oro 215, Iligan City 195, Bukidnon 47, Negros Oriental 22, Lanao del Norte 9, Compostela Valley 5, Zamboanga del Norte 3, Surigao del Sur 1). Most of the dead were asleep Friday night when raging floodwaters pounded their homes from rivers and cascaded from mountain slopes following 12 straight hours of heavy rains in Mindanao. The typhoon has affected a total of 5,884 families, with 202 injured and 162 still missing. 2,252 are still sheltered at 23 evacuation centers.

There are currently 7,431 persons in 4 evacuation centers in Iligan City, which was consumed by flash floods last night after the heavy downpour of rains for ten hours straight. Cagayan De Oro, which has now been placed under a state of calamity, experienced 180 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours, which has led to massive floods in 23 of its 80 barangays, leaving about 20,000 residents in evacuation centers. Prior to the onslaught of Sendong in Zamboanga del Norte, about 143 persons had already evacuated their houses which were destructed by flash floods that swept the municipality of Polanco as well as Dipolog and Dapitan cities. Dapitan River had overflown early this morning which flooded several barangays in Dapitan.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) maintains strict 24-hour monitoring of all situations in Mindanao, while nearly 500 PRC staff and volunteers deployed in the field are conducting detailed assessments. Search and rescue teams have been mobilized. Hot meals have been prepared and distributed in evacuation centers. Welfare desks and first aid stations have been situated in the evacuation centers for affected families. Non-food items such as sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets and water will also be distributed.

Sendong is the 19th tropical cyclone to lash the Philippines this year. As we continue to wage this battle against disasters, we are appealing for immediate cash assistance to continue providing relief and recovery efforts for all affected communities. We are counting on your support to be able to provide food, non-food items and our services to the most vulnerable Filipinos in the hardest hit cities and provinces. We appreciate your generosity and continued support to the Philippine Red Cross. Thank you!