17" in the Philippines versus 20" in the US

No matter how tough things may get here, with Natural Disasters and what have you, I am so grateful to be in the United States for such things. I've spoken a great deal about the flooding in the Atlanta area, which was caused by up to 20" of steady rain over a short time. Yes, the statistics are tragic, 10 lives claimed, 100's diplaced, many homes, schools, roads and businesses destroyed... but then, I ponder Tropical Storm Ketsana. Tropical Storm Ketsana tore through the Philippines over the weekend, with its 53mph winds and 17" of rain in a mere 12 hours... leaving behind a horrific death toll of 140, with 32 still unaccounted for, more than 451,000 people left homeless (source)... a State of Calamity has been declared. It's a grim scene of complete chaos and loss there.
People wade through a flooded street past stalled vehicles in Malabon City, north of Manila, Philippines, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. Non-stop overnight rain from Tropical Storm Ketsana has caused massive flooding. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)
A boy carries his brother through waist-deep waters following flooding brought about by Tropical Storm Ketsana Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, in Quezon City. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The mayor of Cainta, also in Rizal, who was stranded atop a dump truck on a road that was neck-deep in water, told ABS-CBN television by phone that many residents climbed onto roofs to escape.

"The whole town is almost 100 per cent underwater," Mayor Mon Ilagan said.
~source

Let's be mindful in prayer for those impacted by this disaster.

~Dewdrop