Tsunami Warning Lifted

My sister, her husband, her daughter and neighbors endured an overnight stay at an evacuation center last night for the first time. Philippine government agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued an alert level two for possible occurrence of tsunami to some provinces within Philippines Archipelago. The 8.9 magnitude quake in Tokyo Japan triggered the tsunami. Philippines was issued tsunami warnings, along with Russia, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast.

These were the 19 provinces alerted for tsunami warnings yesterday. Quoting from news reports, tsunami would hit between 5pm to 7pm, (UTC+08:00) time in the Philippines.

Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur.

Local television networks broadcast tsunami waves will arrive in two hours intervals around one meter in height. The warning was lifted at around 11:30pm, Friday. My sister and all those who evacuated to a higher ground decided to stay until mid morning of the next day. It was to assure nothing will happen as they monitored the movement of the waves close to their place of residence. There were reports of occurrence of tide movements however it was only for two feet and few inches. I was relieved when the tsunami warning was finally lifted for the entire archipelago.

I am sure my countrymen shared the same relief. God answered our prayers. My sister sent me SMS at mid morning today. They were backed home safe, about to sleep.