Hundreds of homes remained without power on Thursday (July 25), a day after Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) flooded the Philippine capital Manila and nearby cities, forcing authorities to shut schools and offices, cancel flights and declare a state of calamity in a region that is home to 13 million people.

The two-story home of Roxanne Saniel, a 32-year-old assistant nurse, was submerged by flood waters following heavy rains on Wednesday (July 24) morning, leaving her personal belongings washed away and appliances destroyed.

“The floods started around 2 or 3 a.m. (1800 or 1900 GMT). So the water started rising up to the very top, the whole house cannot be seen anymore. Our house was fully submerged and wasn’t accessible,” Saniel told Reuters in an interview while she arranged what was left in her home.

READ: 5 provinces declare state of calamity due to habagat, Carina

The storm did not make landfall in the Philippines but has intensified seasonal monsoon rains, causing landslides and flooding over the past few days.

“We were crying yesterday because we didn’t know what to do anymore. We have to start from scratch,” Saniel added.

At least 12 people have died and more than 600,000 are displaced due to the storm, known locally as Typhoon Carina, the national disaster agency said. Water in some areas is neck-high.

“What we need first is food. All our food was washed by the floods. Food, water, and clothing because we don’t have any more clothes to change to,” Saniel said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told the disaster relief agencies to provide assistance and prepare supplies for isolated communities during a briefing on Wednesday, and the mayors of 16 cities in the Greater Manila region have asked for emergency funding, officials said.

The Philippines sees an average of 20 tropical storms annually, causing floods and deadly landslides.

(Production: Adrian Portugal)