Local News: ‘Buhawi’ Hits Capitol Shopping Center; Minor Structures Damaged on its Wake, No one Hurt

Susan Despi, one of the store owners near the old Northbound Terminal said she has not seen anything like this her whole life until she found herself virtually under the twister at noon yesterday. At around 12:20nn, people scampered to the nearest buildings when a strong gust of wind blew right where they were having lunch at the stores near the old Ceres Terminal.

A store near the old Ceres North Terminal in the Capitol Shopping area was the worst portion hit by the twister around 12:20nn yesterday.*(Owen S. Bayog/NDB photo) see gallery>>

Despi said they have been earning a living by selling food for employees in some commercial establishments in the area even during the time that Ceres Terminal for North bound buses was still operating. She told NDB that the twister happened so fast and she could only recall vivid scenes when she saw people running to the concrete establishments across the street when it happened. Despi’s stall is in the middle of two stalls which were under the tree; her store remained without any damage after the said twister hit the area where they are.

Trees were uprooted due to the strength of the said twister, including concrete materials especially the roof of various stalls in the area were blown away, hitting various structures at the same time. A private vehicle was also damaged as a portion of the temporary fence of the old terminal hit the vehicle during the twister.

Portions of a tree and other concrete materials were also blown away and the crystal glass of the new Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade Base shattered. The CVFB extended a helping hand in the clearing operations with their chainsaw and circular saw which enabled workers clear off the stalls of fallen branches. Luckily, there were no reported individuals hurt during the incident.*