TYPHOON MILENYO UPDATE: EMBASSY CLOSED A SECOND DAY

UNCLAS MANILA 004144 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR S/ES-O STATE PASS USAID, PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EINV CACS EAGR AGMT ABLD SENV RP SUBJECT: TYPHOON MILENYO UPDATE: EMBASSY CLOSED A SECOND DAY REF: MANILA 04129 ¶1. Summary. The embassy closed on September 28 and 29 due to the strongest typhoon to hit Metro Manila directly in 11 years. The storm toppled trees and billboards, triggered flash floods and landslides, shut offices and the financial markets, and caused a Luzon-wide power outage on Thursday. Embassy personnel were instructed to stay home; only an emergency staff came in for the clean up efforts. Reports on damage to the most vulnerable areas and populations in the National Capital Region and affected provinces are still forthcoming. All U.S. Mission staff are safe and accounted for. USAID and JUSMAG are coordinating with the Philippine National Disaster Coordination Council and the Philippine National Red Cross. USAID is preparing a Disaster Declaration cable for an initial $100,000. We expect further requests for assistance after the clean-up efforts start. End Summary. -------------- TYPHOON MILENYO -------------- ¶2. Typhoon "Milenyo" (international name: Xangsane) brought Metro Manila to a near-standstill with all flights and sea travel in and out of the region canceled. It also forced officials to suspend operations of two commuter train systems. Thousands of people have been stranded and left homeless, at least 18 people have died due to flashfloods and landslides. Approximately 43 million people have been affected by power outages. Government offices and schools remain closed. The airports re-opened in the late afternoon on September 29, with mostly normal flight operations. ¶3. Forecasters said Milenyo would likely strengthen back to a typhoon when it hit the South China Sea. The storm is headed westward and is expected to reach Vietnam late on September 30. -------------- MISSION RESPONSE -------------- ¶4. The embassy closed on September 28 and 29; personnel were instructed to stay home (see reftel). All Mission staff, plus Peace Corps volunteers, are safe and accounted for. There are no reports of injuries, but there have been some instances of power outages and property damage. Consular has been checking with various wardens for reports on welfare of American citizens. The Ambassador, DCM, and management inspected facilities. It appears that the majority of the damage is repairable - broken windows, some structural damage, fallen branches, and some flooding. Clean-up efforts are underway and expected to last through the weekend. The Mission is working to re-establish forms of communication, alternative housing for those without refrigeration, water, and phones, and to establish central services for laundry, recreation and snack bar services. ¶5. USAID and JUSMAG are in close communication with the Philippine National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC). USAID and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) are working on a proposal to provide immediate relief supplies to affected populations. The Ambassador is prepared to issue a disaster declaration and Post plans to send a disaster declaration cable, with an initial request of $100,000, by the end of the day. JUSMAG has received no specific requests for assistance as of this time, but anticipates possible requests for mobility assets to support relief/clean-up efforts. Kenney