their mammonations got the better of them. >> it was a difficult time., there was no response. so it was really difficult. it was a difficult time for us. just not knowing, and just thinking the worst things. >> reporter: jim was alive, but shaken. he watched from the second story of his house as the water rose quickly. >> now a river front. >> reporter: the travel agency on the ground floor, destroyed. over four days of barely any food or water, he and his family made their way to the tacloban airport and got on a flight to manila. he eventually got toward a relative who related the good news to his desperate family back in san diego. it wasn't until wednesday night when everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief. >> jim! >> jim? >> reporter: paulette and caesar were able to see their brother for the first time and make sure everyone was safe. >> how's the family? >> oh, the family is good. >> did you -- oh, is she awake? >> julia! >> reporter: and jim told them about how he survived the deadly storm surge that flattened tacloban. >> if we didn't h