Residents of Barangay Robles in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town shared harrowing accounts of how sudden and forceful floodwaters engulfed their homes at the height of continuous rains brought by Typhoon “Tino,” leaving many families displaced and uncertain about when they could return home.

Mary Rose Samolde, 25 years old, from Hacienda Nahalinan Proper, said the water rose swiftly from the nearby river, catching residents by surprise.

“Grabe na ang tubig sa ‘mon kay lapit kami sa suba … Gulpi lang [nagtaas] dayon ang tubig sa mga talamnan,” Samolde said, recalling how the river overflowed and swept through farms and homes.

Samolde said her whole family, along with other households from their hacienda, evacuated as huge logs carried by floodwaters slammed into their community.

“Mayo lang gani kay adlaw, kay kun gab-i, damo gid guro napatay,” she said.

While their house was not washed away, it was filled with thick mud.

“Okay pa man amon balay … Ang lunang lang gid. Ayawan lang kami kuha kay nagtirig-a na gid,” she added.

At the evacuation center, Samolde said their basic needs are being met — food, clothing and assistance continue to flow — but returning home remains difficult due to the lack of electricity and unclear water conditions.

“Huo, kabay pa makabalik … pero indi pa kami kabalik kay wala pa kuryente. May ara man bumba, pero lubog pa ang tubig,” she said.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Rodita Ariola, said floodwaters inside their home reached knee-deep.

“Kung indi kami makapalagyo, ma-trap kami, malumos kami o maanod,” Ariola recounted.

She said while her household managed to escape, her in-laws were trapped at their home as the waters rose.

“Hindi sila naka-evacuate … pero nakaluwas man sila gyapon,” Ariola said.

She added that despite the ordeal, they feel safe at the evacuation center.

“Okay kami diri, indi kami pinabayaan. Sagod kami sa pagkaon,” she said.

Although their home has already been cleaned, they still have no idea when authorities will allow them to return.

“Ambot lang. Wala kami kabalo kun san-o kami pagwaon,” she added.

Total damage

For Jessa Mae Valencia of Bonifacio Extension, the damage was total — her concrete rented home was swept away by the floods.

“Nagsulod ang tubig kag naanod gid tanan. Pagbalik namon, wala na — duta na lang bilin,” she said.

Everything was gone.

This is the second time her family experienced destruction of their home after also losing it during Typhoon “Crising” in July of this year.

Valencia said the water during “Tino” reached above the roof of their house.

They managed to evacuate before the water surged, but returning home was devastating.

When asked if the P10,000 financial aid from the government would be enough to begin again, she admitted it would help — but not fully.

As evacuation centers in La Castellana continue to shelter hundreds of families, many survivors remain anxious yet hopeful — waiting for electricity to return, floodwaters to clear, and homes to rebuild.

Authorities have yet to provide an exact timeline for when evacuees can safely return./CJ, WDJ