October 15, 2016
October 15, 2016
Philippines Angeles Missionary Families and Friends:
Thank you for thinking about and praying for our missionaries and members. Typhoon SARIKA (KAREN) has strengthened and intensified over the past 24 hours and will make landfall within a few hours here in Central Luzon. Currently the storm is tracking a course taking it directly through the Philippines Angeles Mission.
The eye of the storm will reach land near Baler at about midnight tonight and should move swiftly across the Philippines dumping 4-8 inches of rain, depending on location. Government weather forecasters predict the storm will have winds of 100 to 120 mph as it moves across the mission. Areas of the western side of the mission will have lesser rain and wind. The eastern side will incur the most severe weather. The storm will exit the Philippines Sunday afternoon/evening.
We encounter 3-5 of these storms each year. Last year’s super typhoon taught us important lessons about preparation and measured reaction to the unexpected. Mission leaders started yesterday with communication to our missionaries. Missionaries have stocked and verified 72-hour kits. Those on the east coast of the island have been moved far inland away from the most dangerous winds and storm surge.
Currently our missionaries are restricted to their homes until 1:00 pm Sunday. That may be extended depending on what happens tomorrow. We are blessed to have a large range of mountains between the east coast of the island and the population centers of the mission to the west. This protects us to a great extent. Still, we are taking all reasonable precautions and are thankful that the storm is forecast to move swiftly across the island.
As mission leaders we are staying in contact with missionaries via text and voice. So far phone service has remained reliable. We will be checking regularly on the missionaries, particularly sister missionaries. Members are also very vigilant in looking out for our missionaries.
Know that great vigilance is being exercised to protect missionaries and members in the Angeles Mission. We know that God watches over His missionaries. Thank you for your prayers. We will send similar communication to you over the next 24 hours as circumstances permit. Once the storm has passed we will provide an update.
President Scott and Sister Sandra Clark
Philippines Angeles Mission
October 14, 2016
To the Families of Philippines Angeles
Many of you are aware of tropical storm SARIKA (KAREN) out in the Philippines Sea heading towards the Philippines. The storm is being closely monitored by the Church’s Philippines Area Office with regular bulletins to Mission Presidents. Currently the storm is tracking a path taking it over northern Luzon, impacting all of the Philippines Angeles
Government weather forecasters predict the storm will strengthen into a typhoon in the next 36 hours. It will likely have winds of 100 to 120 mph as it moves across our mission. Sakira is expected to hit land early Sunday morning and should move swiftly across the Philippines dumping brief but intense rains. We anticipate rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches depending upon the location within the mission. Areas of the western side of the mission will have lesser rain and wind. The eastern side will incur the most severe weather. Typhoons can be unpredictable and a sudden change of course may happen. We are watching closely to assure that we can react appropriately should the storm turn or suddenly strengthen. The storm will exit the Philippines Sunday evening.
Precautions have already been taken to protect our missionaries. Missionary preparations include checking and stocking their 72 hour kits, having emergency cash on hand, keeping their cell phones charged and staying away from flood prone areas and high standing water. Your missionary has been alerted to prepare for the storm in his/her specific area. Missionaries in low lying areas on the eastern coast of Luzon (Baler and Dingalan) have already been evacuated far inland to much higher ground and safer housing. All missionaries will be restricted to their secure, solid houses while the storm presents the greatest risk. They know to stay in communication with mission leaders should any situation cause concern.
Know that great vigilance is being exercised to protect missionaries and members in the Angeles Mission. We are prayerful and faith filled, knowing that God watches over us. Thank you for your prayers. We will send similar communication to you over the next 48 hours as the situation changes and circumstances permit. Once the storm has passed we will provide a follow-up letter to you.
President Scott and Sister Sandra Clark
Philippines Angeles Mission
October 18, 2016
To the Families of Philippines Angeles Missionaries:
We are having a busy weather week here in the Angeles Mission. You may be aware of our second typhoon - HAIMA (LAWIN) now spinning in the Philippines Sea heading toward the Northern Philippines. The storm track is taking it over the most northerly portion of Luzon. The impact on the Philippines Angeles Mission will be much less than the previous storm.
Forecasters predict the storm will strengthen into a super typhoon in the next 24 hours. It will likely have winds in excess of 150 mph in its core as it makes landfall on Wednesday. But because Haima is expected to reach land so far north we will be spared significant forces of rain and wind. We anticipate rainfall amounts of less than 2 inches during the 24 hours the storm is moving through. Areas in the northern portion of the mission will have the greatest rain and wind. The southern zones will see much less storm activity. Typhoons can be unpredictable and a sudden change of course may happen. We are watching closely to assure that we can react appropriately should the storm turn or suddenly strengthen. The storm will likely exit the Philippines Thursday afternoon.
Precautions are again being taken to protect our missionaries. They are checking and re-stocking their 72 hour kits, keeping emergency cash on hand, maintaining their cell phones charged and staying away from flood prone areas. No missionaries are being evacuated in advance of this storm but should conditions worsen in any specific area or house the missionaries have evacuation plans to move to higher ground and safer housing. All missionaries will be staying close to their secure, solid houses while the storm presents the greatest risk. Our missionaries are well practices now and they will stay in communication with mission leaders during the storm.
The threat is much lower with this storm but our vigilance remains the same. Our first priority remains to protect missionaries and members in the Angeles Mission. We all stand as strong witnesses that God watches over us in stormy times. Thank you again for your prayers. We will send similar communication to you over the next 24 hours as the situation changes and circumstances permit.
President Scott and Sister Sandra Clark
Philippines Angeles Mission
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