The Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
November 12, 2020 3:15pm CST
The tail of the typhoon Ulysses reached Alaska. That's across the Pacific Ocean. That typhoon smashed deadly hard on my Island of Luzon, wreaking havoc, almost crashing every limb and fiber of my people, if not for the formidable barrier the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges provided us.
I dwell at the ankle of that mountain ranges, the length spanning from Cagayan to Quezon Provinces. On some fresh mornings after the rain, I call the scenic beauty 'My Blue Mountains.'
Oh, I love the Sierra Madre very much, went on marches and bivouac in my youth. The hiking trails were exciting, the waterfalls and running streams refreshing. Tagged along with my two girls during their girl scout training, just to be at the heart of the mountains again.
I have known the Sierra Madre as my home but yesterday, that literally became my shelter from the storm.
Typhoon Ulysses lashed without mercy. It was fast, It was furious. But when it hit Sierra Madre, it coiled! Bam!
Otherwise, we would all have been dead by now.
Picture courtesy of Nomadic Experiences @ google
10 people like this
11 responses
@rsa101 (37932)
• Philippines
14 Nov 20
I believe that is the mountain range that somehow protects Metro Manila and form being hit by strong storms. The past 4 storms that hit Luzon, only Typhoon Ulysses was able to slip through Manila with lots of rains and winds that brought them down.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37932)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
@eileenleyva What happened with ulysses was it stayed longer on the seas that is why it carried more water. It didn’t landfall directly in our place(Bicol) like what typhoon Rolly did. The speed of the storm was quite sliw that is why it stayed longer in one place making it quite destructive. Rolly had strong wind gusts but it also was fast moving from one place to another.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
Actually, typhoon Rolly was the strongest of the four succeeding storms. Ulysses though swirled when it hit the Sierra Madre, and added more water to the already saturated earth. The dams were at break point, thus the spilling that caused the deluge.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
@rsa101 Which tells us that each storm has its own characteristic. I was fuming when netizens were saying what a fail of a forecast Rolly was because it did not even feel threatening. When Ulysses came, the netizens belittled the advice. Sigh.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
Yes, the Sierra Madre is formidable mountain range that protects us from the terrible typhoons from the Pacific. Scenic to behold after a rainfall when the mountains turn literally blue. There is a portion where the local folks planted so many flowers that when tourists pass by, they quip 'Are we in Europe?'
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
@LadyDuck The Alps is the most beautiful, the most scenic.
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@LadyDuck (457412)
• Switzerland
18 Nov 20
@eileenleyva We have the Alps that protect us from the chilly winds from the north and the snow.
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@ptrikha_2 (45422)
• India
5 Mar 21
These mountains are perhaps similar in role to the Himalayas we have. They too protect Indian plains from barren and cold winds from the far north.
Also Himalayas are the originating point of the major rivers we have like Ganga, Yamuna etc.
They also help in proper monsoons.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45422)
• India
7 Mar 21
@eileenleyva
Oh you seem to be very familiar with Bollywood!!
I would also recommend
"Dil Chahta Hai", "Rang De Basanti" if you can get suitable subtitled ones.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45422)
• India
9 Mar 21
@eileenleyva
Oh I never knew that 3 idiots had become so popular.
We remember many scenes and dialogs from that movie !
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
7 Mar 21
India is indeed a beautiful country. Saw the countryside on movies such as 3 Idiots and Namaste, London. Wow!
Yup. The Sierra Madre is much like the Himalayas, protects us from the typhoons.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
@rakski Hi, Sleeping Beauty, dreaming when the storm is lashing. Wish I could have that restful slumber, too, but nay, there was too much to look for, as my daughter was checking if the people who called for help has been rescued. The rescuers needed validation, so they could move on to the next.
Sigh, the north has received its share of flooding also. Our infrastructures badly needs mitigation. The government and the responsible departments need tongue-lashing.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
Not necessarily. Depends on many factors like velocity. This one was massive. Smashed the Sierra Madre and twirled.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
@eileenleyva really? I did not watch the news so I really have no idea. I took a nap yesterday as I was able to sleep for 2 hours only while the typhoon was here
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
The howling was scary enough, and when the news came of people cowering on light umbrellas, on rooftops, against the downpour and the mighty winds, that was heart wrenching.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
@Nevena83 The sun came out today. The floods have quickly subsided. The affected families have been given first aid and food supplies.
Thank you very much for your concern and prayers.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
I was slightly affected but my countrymen were devastated.
Thanks for the concern.
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@sophie09 (34246)
• Indonesia
13 Nov 20
@eileenleyva my pleasure, keep us updated about it
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Nov 20
I reside near the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Nov 20
I am all right. Thank you.
Went out to make an assessment of the neighborhood, some trees had been uprooted but the local government is quick to assist in the pulling out of debris.
