High tide destroys houses

CAMARINES NORTE, Philippines – Seventeen families composed of at least 80 individuals were evacuated to safer ground after their houses were carried away by seawater in Mercedez town here on Friday night.

The local disaster management office said a high tide occurred in the coastal village of Purok 3, Barangay 6 at around 6 p.m.

The current eroded a portion of the village and damaged some houses.

Before the water rose, the village was first battered by a heavy downpour and strong winds, according to Jude Hernandez of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office.