Situated where the Philippines meets the Pacific Ocean , Guiuan had the look and feel of a tropical paradise -- replete with surf camps , resorts and pristine white beaches . Its location on Samar Island 's southeastern tip , in many ways , had been Guiuan 's greatest blessing . And now ? It could be seen as its greatest curse . When Super Typhoon Haiyan came ashore early Friday -- bringing sustained winds of 315 kph ( 195 mph ) and gusts as strong as 380 kph ( 235 mph ) -- it did so in Guiuan . Buildings collapsed , palm trees snapped , shelters ceased to be . And with devastation came desperate needs for , as one Guiuan put it , `` food , tents , everything . '' As he noted : `` Everything is gone . '' Guiuan was cut off from outside communication and many basic necessities until recently , when a C-130 military cargo plane flew over the ravaged area and landed at its small airport . The aircraft 's cargo bay was packed with supplies and Filipino troops . Once there , where should they start to help ? That 's hard to say , admits Guiuan Mayor Christopher Gonzales , given the scale of what 's happened . Almost all of his community 's 50,000 people are now homeless , thanks to Haiyan . `` If you want to look at our municipality , '' Gonzales said , `` it 's total damage ; 100 % damage . '' The troops do n't waste any time , quickly unloading drinking water and bags of rice , as residents watch from a safe distance . Some troops stay to participate in search-and-rescue operations in a place where the death toll is still far from settled . Within 20 minutes , the C-130 is back buzzing again . Its new load includes some people hurt by the storm , some with spinal injuries . Other more able-bodied people have found seats , hoping to get far from the misery that is likely to forever be associated with a place that many had considered paradise .
Super Guiuan came ashore in Philippines in the eastern Guiuan . early Friday , the community is largely cut off and in need of basic necessities . `` It 's total damage , 100 % damage , '' community 's mayor says . A military plane brings in rice and water , transports out injured .