Guests of five-star hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on Roxas Boulevard had to be evacuated this afternoon, September 27, as flood waters began to seep into the lobby, reports ABS-CBN News. According to Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Corazon Jimenez, the water was knee-high in the hotel’s buffet restaurant Spiral, and waist-deep in some parts of the lobby.
A GMA News article reports that other establishments along Roxas Boulevard like the United States Embassy were submerged in flood water. Science and Techology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul attributed the floods to a storm surge in Manila Bay. Meanwhile, MMDA czar Yves Gonzalez warned people via Twitter to stay away from the area until the waters subside.
According an ABS-CBNNews.com report, a hotel employee who refused to be named said that Sofitel guests were being transferred to other hotels.
The ABS-CBNNews.com report also cited MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez’s observations. Jimenez, who was able to enter the hotel, said water was waist-deep in some parts of the lobby. She also noted that the hotel's popular buffet restaurant, Spiral, was also submerged in knee-deep water. Vehicles in the hotel’s parking lot were almost submerged in water.
For more on this story, log on to ABS-CBN News and GMA News.
Screencap from GMA News Online