Some wonder what a typhoon is and how it compares to a hurricane. Hurricane and typhoon are different names for the same type of storm. A tropical cyclone is called a hurricane in the north Atlantic Ocean, south Pacific Ocean, or the northeast Pacific Ocean on the eastern side of the dateline. A typhoon occurs in the northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline. In other parts of the world, these storms are called severe tropical cyclones. In essence, these storms are basically the same although typhoons are usually more dangerous than a hurricane because they generate closer to the equator.
Some feel the true facts regarding Typhoon Haiyan will never be really known due to a variety of factors. But most of what is known so far has come from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. And although the statistics are hard to verify, and may even include some contradictions, the followings numbers are being presented – at least for the moment:
- The width of Typhoon Haiyan was 370 miles.
- The sustained winds were 195 mph with gusts of 235.
- The height of the storm surge in Tacloban was 17 feet.
- The most rainfall recorded by NASA was some 27 inches.
- The number of people affected overall was 13 million.
- The number of children impacted was 4.9 million.
- The number of dead according to the U.N. is 4,200.
- The number the missing is around 1,186.
- The number of people displaced is about 3 million.
- The number in need of food assistance is 2.5 million.
- The number of homes damaged or destroyed is 494,611.
- The number of schools damaged is 628.
- The number of relief dollars given so far is $81 million.
As grim as these numbers are, most are likely very low – especially concerning the total damage and the rising death toll!
It is extremely hard, if not impossible, to really understand the level of pain and suffering that is now a part of daily life in the Philippines. And many in other places around the world have faced similar fates or will. The Bible says of the human experience, “Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.” This accurate reality was penned by a man who knew suffering first-hand and on a catastrophic scale.
Job was a man who loved God and avoided all evil. He was the model of a godly father and husband. And yet his entire world was rocked when he suddenly lost literally everything but his life. Even his own wife pressed him to turn his back on God and simply die. (Job 2:8) His response to her showed his faith and character. “But he said to her, 'Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” After some struggles over his seemingly unfair plight, Job came to this conclusion that His God was indeed sovereign, just and worthy of all his total trust – no matter what!
It is often hard to deal with the negative events of a fallen world. What has occurred since man’s demise in the Garden so long ago was never God’s intent. He wanted far better for man. He wanted the very best! But God remains sovereign and just. He works through even those gruesome events that plague His creation and beloved creatures. This divine ability is seen in Ephesians 1:11 where the writer speaks of God as, “Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
Countless souls are facing untold suffering in the Philippines. The destruction and horror there is epic! But God’s concern and great love for every individual there knows no limits. (Romans 5:8) His Son’s unspeakable suffering on the cross made possible, for all, an escape route from eternal suffering. The overriding need to be forgiven of sin, and prepared to face eternity, is far greater than any pressing need for daily material provisions.
Pray for relief efforts and for the dear people now dealing with unimaginable pain and loss. Financially support the organizations working to help. (One is Samaritan’s Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org) And pray also for the many hurting believers, who, while suffering themselves, have the unique ability to share God’s supernatural relief effort for a suffering world in dire need of His spiritual food and life!
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
Bill Breckenridge
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