In a dramatic response to sudden flash floods, hundreds of residents in northern Negros Occidental were forced to evacuate their homes late Sunday night. The flooding, triggered by relentless rains from a shearline affecting the Visayas, impacted three areas: Cadiz City, Manapla, and Victorias City.
In Cadiz City alone, the disaster displaced 1,730 people from 430 families across five villages. The most severely affected was Barangay Burgos, where 1,200 individuals from 300 families were forced to leave their homes. Other affected areas included Barangay Daga, Barangay Mabini, Barangay Andres Bonifacio, and Barangay Luna. Evacuees found refuge in local covered courts and Daga Elementary School.
The Sagrado Villas housing site in Barangay Burgos saw some of the worst flooding, with residents needing rescue from rooftops by volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter. Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. described the flooding as sudden, with water levels rising dramatically within minutes, leaving residents unprepared.
After the floodwaters receded, residents of Barangay Burgos were able to return home, receiving relief assistance from the city government, which included rice, hot meals, and dry clothing.
In Manapla, Barangay 1-A was the hardest hit, with all 11 of its sub-villages affected. Evacuees were sheltered in five schools and a gymnasium.
Victorias City also faced significant flooding, with 37 people from 10 families in Barangays 21, 7, and 6 being evacuated to the city coliseum. Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez reported that most families were able to return home after the rains ceased around 1:30 a.m. and the floodwaters subsided. The city government pledged ongoing support to help those with damaged homes.
The rapid response and community support highlighted the resilience and solidarity of the affected areas in the face of natural disasters.