By Bridie Byrne
A DEVASTATED Elvira Murdoch is grieving for her family who has lost everything in the flood-ravaged Philippines.
The Werribee resident’s siblings sought refuge on their roofs to avoid being swept away as water levels rose.
The horrific storm lashed the South-East Asian nation late last month, killing hundreds and displacing thousands.
Elvira said her five brothers and one sister walked away unscathed but personal belongings have been destroyed.
She said close friends’ houses were no longer standing.
“They didn’t have a chance to flee and get to higher ground, it all happened so quickly,” she said.
Elvira said despite the Philippines being prone to floods the extreme down pouring was unforeseeable.
“Especially in low lying areas the water rose up …usually it’s at knee level, but not neck level,” she said.
“The flood was so sudden, there was one month’s rain in one day.
“The water has subsided but it’s left so much debris and mud.”
Elvira said the main concern now was preventing the outbreak of disease.
She said survivors have crowded into churches and schools.
Her family is among the hundreds stranded in makeshift evacuation centres.
To help the flood affected she is raising money as part of the Bridge Builders For Australasia.
The group is made up of 15 members who reach out to poverty-stricken communities in the Philippines.
Over the next two weekends a stall will be set up outside Coles in the Werribee Plaza to collect money.
