A family hid in their home while a powerful thunderstorm battered their neighbourhood.

Footage shows one of the residents praying and gesturing the Catholic sign of the cross while strong winds and heavy rain struck houses in Pampanga, the Philippines on September 26.

Trees shook outside from the gusts while lightning illuminated the sky.

Resident Jace said: ‘It was scary. We all stayed inside and did not dare step out.'

The Philippines and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are at the start of their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms. The rudimentary infrastructure often struggles with the deluge, leading to widespread flash floods.