Eye of the Storm

Weather satellites detect a low pressure area in the Pacific Ocean approaching East Asia, a common occurence during the monsoon season between June to September. But it's already [[November]].

The International Meteorological Network declares the weather system a tropical depression. It is upgraded to a tropical storm named Typhoon Ferdin, with wind speeds of up to 100 kph. Forecasters say it will hit the Philippines but it's difficult to tell where and when exactly at this point as it moves slowly over the Pacific. [[You are the mayor of a city in the Philippines->Mayor]]

You are the mayor of Tacloban City located on the Eastern seaboard of the Philippines. You belong to a political clan that has ruled over the province for many decades. You govern a second-class city with a population of 200,000 people, many of whom live near the coastline. The election is coming next year and you plan to bid for a re-election. Your city has gone on a steady development path over the last ten years. You are concerned about your political position, rivals, and constituents. Forecast before the storm's landfall: [[five days]]

Your partner is afraid for you and the whole family and is thinking of leaving for safety in Manila where the forecast of the storm's strenght is weaker. [[You join your family in Manila->Manila]] [[You tell everyone things would be fine and everybody should stay behind->everybody stays]] [[You let them take shelter in Manila and you stay behind->you stay]]

You and your family fly to Manila to wait out the storm. The storm passes and misses your city. At the same time, photos of your family entering a luxury apartment building [[circulate online->photos online]].

You convince your family to stay behind, assuring them everything will be fine in your house downtown. "This is not our first storm," you tell them. More than 20 storms visit the Philippines every year, and about half pass through your province. In fact, this is only the seventh for the year for your city. As in previous typhoons, you go through the rounds of meeting city officials, telling them to warn people living in low-lying communities. [[You join one group in going from house-to-house.->house visits]]

Your family flies for safety to Manila while you decide to stay behind. More than 20 storms visit the Philippines every year, and about half pass through your province. In fact, this is only the seventh for the year for your city. As in previous typhoons, you go through the rounds of meeting city officials, telling them to warn people living in low-lying communities. [[You join one group in going from house-to-house.->house visits]]

and near the coast and on hillsides of the risks of staying. You evacuate them to schools, churches, stadium, and other designated evacuation centers.

It is two days before the storm. The sun is up and shining when you visit the town center. You approach some of the residents and tell them to... [[store food and water.->store food and water]] or [[move out of their houses and go to a higher ground.->evacuate]]

They thank you for your warning. Like you, they assume they can wait out the storm like in the past. They joke that you are in fact sweating and maybe with this heat, there might be no storm after all. You tell them that they're really better off leaving their homes and going to one of the evacuation centers just to be sure. They are, however, unconvinced. You... [[proclaim forced evacuation.->evacuate]] [[tell them it's their decision.->stay]]

Winds started early in the morning and by mid-day, the eye of the storm reached the city. Waves from the storm surge destroyed sea walls. Water as high as 20 feet goes inland for almost half a mile, engulfing coastal villages. The evacuation plan saved thousands of lives. But the city was flattened by the water and is a virtual wasteland. Your political rival reaches out and asks if you need some help. You know he owns a helicopter. * You have second thoughts about his intention yet you [[accept->help?]] his offer so you can fly to Manila and ask for help. OR You [[don't accept->no help]] his offer for help.

Winds started early in the morning. By mid-day, the eye of the storm reached the city, toppling electrical posts and ripping off anything on its path. Then there's the [[water]].

You consider his offer to use his helicopter and put aside political differences. Lives are stil at risk as tens of thousands of people are still homeless and food and shelter. Two hours later, you're on your way to [[Manila to seek assistance]].

Relief efforts trickled in during the first few days after the typhoon, but it was not enough. Roads were blocked by debris for weeks. Food supply in the city is depleted and other forms of help. [[People got hungry and sick->hungry and sick]].

Your rival arranges for the delivery of vital supplies from the national government and humanitarian agencies: food, water, medicine. In the process, he put stickers with his name and face on them, as if the relief effort was all his work. [[People in your community were grateful for him.-> grateful to rival]]

Cholera broke out and more people died before humanitarian help contained the epidemic. People also learned you turned down the help of your political rival when the city needed it most. [[They were not happy about it.->end lost]]

Your constituents vote for your political opponent in the next elections, ending your family's reign in the province.

They seem to have made up their mind on whom to vote for the [[coming elections->end lost]].

Waves from the storm surge destroyed sea walls. Water as high as 20 feet goes inland for almost half a mile, engulfing coastal villages with its residents. The city lays in shambles in [[its aftermath]].

You survey the damage of the city, which you now barely recognize. The arch with the "Welcome" sign is gone. Fronds of coconut trees look like they were combed against the natural direction of their growth, if they're still at all standing. It's difficult to differentiate bodies, clothes that were washed away, and wooden debris. At night, it is [[pitch dark]].

People are angry that you left them in the face of an imminent disaster. You do damage control by telling them you were in Manila to ask for help from the national government. You worry about the vote turn-out in the [[next election->end lost]].

The media in Manila learn about your actions of working with your political opponent. Your family isn't happy. But you stand your ground. Your constituents [[learn about your decision->end win]].

Election day arrived and it was a close fight. Voters remembered how you cooperated with your rival and give you their vote. You emerge victorious and continue your family's political dynasty.

[[...->no help]]