Tropical storm leaves towns submerged, 66 dead in Philippines

Laurel, Philippines: Residents of the northern Philippines used spades and rakes to clear their homes of mud and debris on Friday while others still a...

Laurel, Philippines: Residents of the northern Philippines used spades and rakes to clear their homes of mud and debris on Friday while others still awaited rescue as the death toll from Tropical Storm Trami rose to 66.

Tens of thousands remained displaced after fleeing floods driven by a torrential downpour that dumped two months' worth of rainfall over just two days in some areas.

"Many are still trapped on the roofs of their homes and asking for help," Andre Dizon, police director for the hard-hit Bicol region, told AFP. "We are hoping that the floods will subside today since the rain has stopped."

But accessibility remained a major issue for rescuers Friday, particularly in Bicol, President Ferdinand Marcos said at a morning press briefing.