Storm brings white Christmas, tornado threat to central US

WASHINGTON - A major winter storm brought a rare white Christmas to the southern US plains on Tuesday, contributing to a 21-vehicle pile-up that shut down a major highway in Oklahoma.

The storm system surging east from Kansas and the Texas Panhandle includes the threat of tornados and severe thunderstorms along its southern fringe, from southeast Texas to Alabama, the National Weather Service said.

The storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions and 6 to 8 inches of snow as it strengthens and moves northeast into the upper Ohio River valley through southern Missouri and Illinois, it said.

Freezing drizzle overnight led to 10 separate collisions on Interstate 40 at Oklahoma City just before 3 a.m., said Trooper Betsy Randolph, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The 21-vehicle pile-up included three tractor-trailers and shut down the westbound lanes for about five hours, she said. Twelve people were taken to hospitals, and troopers are checking on the severity of their injuries.

In a rare taste of Christmas snow, Oklahoma City is forecast to get 3 to 6 inches of the white stuff on Tuesday. The city's biggest Christmas snowfall was 6.5 inches in 1914, and measurable amounts have been recorded only a handful of times on the date.

Several flights were canceled at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport on Monday ahead of the storm, but conditions on Tuesday morning were good, the airport said in a statement.

Ahead of the storm's path, parts of eastern West Virginia are under a winter storm warning. Ice accumulations of up to half an inch are expected in higher elevations, the National Weather Service said.

source: interaksyon.com

After heavy flooding, DFA resumes operations; US Embassy still closed

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) has resumed operations on Thursday after being closed the previous day due to bad weather conditions and flooding.

In a text message to GMA News Online, DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez confirmed the news: “Normal operations today (August 9),” he said.

The DFA-OCA shut down its operations at 3:00 p.m. on August 8 due to bad weather conditions and heavy rain.

In a news release, the DFA said passport applicants who were unable to file their applications can be accommodated until August 15.

“Passport applicants, scheduled on August 7 (Tuesday) and today, August 8 (Wednesday), who were unable to file their applications, may come to the DFA-OCA at anytime and have their passports processed this entire week until Wednesday next week, August 15,” it said.

“Passport applicants are advised to bring their appointment slips with them,” it added.

Temporary closure of the US Embassy

Meanwhile, inclement weather and heavy flooding have also forced the temporary closure of the United States Embassy and its affiliated offices.

On its official Twitter account, the embassy announced: “Due to continued severe weather and heavy flooding, the US Embassy will remain closed on Thursday August 9.”

The embassy said the decision was made considering the safety and security of employees and the public.

For updates on Consular and other public services of the Embassy, please visit the US Embassy official site at www.manila.usembassy.gov.

Torrential rains

Torrential rains pummeled large areas of Luzon on Wednesday, forcing Malacañang to suspend all classes for Thursday, from preschool to postgraduate courses in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

The class suspension directive is contained in Memorandum Circular 34 issued by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

However, operations and work in national government agencies and private sector offices were not suspended.

Hotline numbers
Meanwhile, for OFWs whose families were affected by the floods, here are some hotline numbers to call:

NCR

1. National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)

(02) 911-1406
(02) 912-2665
(02) 912-5668

2. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

(02) 927-1335
(02) 433-8526

3. Philippine National Police Hotline (PNP)

(02) 725-3176
(02)723-04-01
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920

4. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

(02) 729-5166

5. Metro Manila Development Authority Metrobase

136
(02) 882-4154 loc. 271 (for flood concerns)

6. Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)

(02) 7890

7. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

(02) 527-8481 to 89

8. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)

(02) 580-8910

(02) 580-8911

9. Skyway System Hotline


(02) 776-7777

10. South Luzon Expressway (SLEx)

(0908) 8807539

11. Department of Health

(02) 711-1001

Local Government Units’ Traffic and Rescue Hotlines:

1. Cainta Traffic

(02) 646-0044

2. Las Pinas Traffic

(02) 874-5756

(02) 874-3927

3. Mandaluyong Traffic

(02) 534 2993

4. Mandaluyong Emergency

(02) 5332225

5. Makati Traffic

(02) 844-3146

(02) 819-3270

6. Makati Rescue

168

(02) 899-8928

(02) 895-8243

7. Pasig Rescue

(02) 643-0000

8. Pasig Traffic

(02) 6411907

Outside NCR

1. Cavite Governor’s Office

(046) 419-1311

2. Quezon Governor’s Office

(042) 373-6007

3. Rizal Provincial Office

(02) 620-2400

4. Bulacan Governor’s Office

(044) 791-8149

(044) 791-8148

source: gmanetwork.com