793 residents of Marikina evacuated, dzBB reports

Amid threats from floods and the possible overflowing of the Marikina River, at least 793 residents in flood-prone areas in Marikina City were preemptively evacuated from their homes Thursday night. Many families left their homes as the alarm Level 2 was hoisted over the Marikina River, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported. The families proceeded to schools and gymnasiums designated as evacuation centers, the report added. Earlier, some families voluntarily fled to the Nangka Elementary School, one of the designated evacuation centers in the city. The Nangka Elementary School had been used as an evacuation center when tropical cyclone "Ondoy" (Ketsana) devastated Marikina City in 2009. Members of the local "Rescue 161" team said the residents were "trained" due to safety seminars to avoid a repeat of the "Ondoy" tragedy in 2009. — ELR/VS, GMA News