Please send thoughts and prayers to HAL's Filipino crew families

[sppunk]

First images appearing from Tacloban City. The eye passed a hair south and went right through Tanaunan.

 

What a beautiful force of destruction.

 

 

Edited November 8, 2013 by sppunk

[wandb]

Chris, thank you for posting all the updates and pictures. We are away from any weather reporting and your posts here are keeping us informed. I also pray for the safety of all in this terrible storm's path, as well as for peace for all those HAL employees who must be frantic for their families back home.

 

Barb

[geocruiser]

This storm is just awful. Very hard to find info on the island it is hitting. I keep praying for the safety of the people in the storms path.

[sppunk]

Fairly reliable source saying a 30 foot storm surge is/has occurred.

 

If true ... dear lord. :(

[Rowsby]

This really is awful....those poor people.......

[erewhon]

Thanks for the updates and photos of this terrible storm.

Our thoughts and prayers for everyone involved.

[mamaofami]

This storm is huge. I believe it's already done lots of damage.

[xjust4fun]

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this storm and for all the families of HAL Philipino staff. It must be devastating for them not knowing if their families are safe.

[highland cruiser]

Our prayers go out to all the HAL crew and their families as well as to the people directly in the path of this awful storm. It was awful and clean up can be a huge challenge.

[innlady1]

So sad...my heart goes out to those people.

[puppycanducruise]

We pray for everyone in the storm area.

[cruz chic]

How terrible. My thoughts are with them.

[mamaofami]

In the last few years, our weather happenings around the world have been more frequent and more powerful. Mother nature is giving us a difficult time lately. In the past, we have been hit by a freak tornado and two powerful hurricanes. I can't imagine the devastation of this storm.

[Vict0riann]

On the news this morning, it said 3 dead, but I imagine many more than that, they're probably still searching. Very sad.

[sppunk]

Death toll at 33 and will definitely rise. :( If anyone seeks more information, the below link is a great resource.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/334590/news/nation/at-least-33-dead-as-super-typhoon-yolanda-pounds-central-philippines

[sppunk]

New death toll expected to be 1,200. Tacloban City was devastated - does anyone remember/know where HAL's training centers are in the Phillipines? They have several ...

[sail7seas]

One is Antipolo City, Phillipines and another is outside Manilla.

Edited November 9, 2013 by sail7seas

[comfortcove]

It looks like horrible devastation there. I really feel for those people. We live in hurricane alley on the east coast, and have experienced property damage, and great inconvenience at times, like no power for eleven days, so I can relate. All of those desths are a huge tragedy. Being away and not knowing the fate of your loved ones would be torture.

[RJ2002]

Thoughts and prayers for those affected, and hoping for a speedy recovery.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I really feel for the crew that are so far away from home and if they cannot get a hold of their families. Yet I am sure they are keeping a smile on their faces as they serve all the passengers. It is not just HAL ships but many of the other cruise lines have a large number of crew from the Philippines. It is just so sad that the area hit the hardest was the same area that just had a bad earthquake.

Prayers definitely going out to all those affected.

[Vict0riann]

Has anyone heard anything from the Amsterdam? I think she was in Philippine waters.

[Thebes]

Prayers for all!

[sppunk]

Has anyone heard anything from the Amsterdam? I think she was in Philippine waters.

 

She is in fine shape - will be in Papua New Guinea tomorrow and has had calm seas and actually pretty decent weather and not much rain. They skipped one port a few days back to get out of the area.

[sppunk]

One is Antipolo City, Phillipines and another is outside Manilla.

 

Thanks - Antipolo was the one I couldn't recall.

[TracieABD]

My thoughts go out to the families and loved ones.