Flash floods in Philippines

A family sit on logs washed ashore in a village devastated by rampaging flooding near Iligan City. (Dennis Sabangan / EPA)

Dec. 18, 2011 12 AM PT

The death toll from powerful floods that swept the southern Philippines is nearing 1,000.

A relative weeps during a mass burial for flood victims at a public cemetery in Iligan City. (Bullit Marquez / Associated Press)

A stray dog approaches the carcass of a water buffalo amid debris left behind by the flooding near Iligan City. (Bullit Marquez / Associated Press)

A relative lights candles near the coffins of flood victims during a mass burial in Iligan City. (Bullit Marquez / Associated Press)

A survivor of typhoon Washi searches through debris in Dumaguete City after the storm hit. (Hersley Ven Casero / For the Times)

Residents search outside their homes as the raging Banica River roars by after typhoon Washi hit Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental. (Alma Zosan Alcoran / For The Times)

Residents search their homes after typhoon Washi hit Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental. (Alma Zosan Alcoran / For The Times)

People search for relatives among houses swept away by flood waters in Cagayan De Oro city, southern Mindanao, Philippines. Flash floods hit the region Friday night. (Bobby Lagsa / EPA)

A resident walks past vehicles submerged in floodwaters after tropical storm Washi raked through Iligan City on the southern island of Mindanao. (Cherryl Vergeire / AFP/Getty Images)

Residents stand among debris in Iligan City on the southern island of Mindanao. Flash floods devastated a southern Philippines region, killing more than 400 people while they slept and rousting hundreds of others to their rooftops. (Cherryl Vergeire / AFP/Getty Images)