The devastating cyclone that slammed into mainland Burma on Saturday will only increase the economic woes and suffering of the Burmese people, say Rangoon residents.

Many commodity prices—including vegetables and eggs—instantly increased 100 percent following the aftermath of cyclone Nargis which swept over Rangoon, Burma’s largest city, and the Irrawaddy delta.

“The price of an egg is now between 200 and 250 kyat (US 0.20); one cabbage is 2000 kyat ($1.60); one viss (1.6 kilogrames) of pork is between 8,000 and 8,500 kyat ($7),” a Rangoon resident told The Irrawaddy.

Before the storm, one egg was 50-70 kyat; one viss of pork was 4,500 to 5,000 kyat.

Many local residents rushed to buy food from markets and stores that were open before the storm struck, he said, because they worried about the aftermath of the storm.

“When I came back from Bogalay market [downtown Rangoon],” he said, “I saw many people trying to buy food.” said.

Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon on Saturday morning, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees and knocking out electricity with wind speeds reaching 190 kilometers per hour (120 mph). The cyclone was rated a Category 3.

A witness said the storm seriously damaged many buildings including the historic Secretariat in downtown Rangoon. Many markets, schools, homes and roads were damaged.

Many residents are homeless because of wind or water damage, said one source. At least one temporary camp for people in need had been set up by local authorities, said a resident in Sanchaung Township.

Residents were concerned about safe access to drinking water because of widespread flooding across the city.

A military helicopter was seen patrolling over Rangoon in what residents say may have been a survey of damaged areas.

Many streets in townships in Rangoon, including Kamaryut, Hlaing, Kyeemyidine, Shwegondine and University Avenue Road, were closed due to uprooted trees, said a resident.

A resident in Kamaryut Township told The Irrawaddy by phone, “It was terrible. Every road and every house was damaged. Satellite dishes were flying and then fell to the ground. Roofs ripped off and were flying in the street. It was really scary”

“There was serious damage and terrible scenes. Phone lines were cut off. When I heard the news from a foreign radio station, at first I didn’t believe it because I’ve never seen this type of event.”

Another Rangoon resident said, “The strength of the storm grew stronger around noon. About 2 pm, it was terrible. I don’t know when the electricity will be back on because all the poles and wires have collapsed.”

Meanwhile, a resident in Pegu said, “Some electricity poles and trees fell down. And phone lines were down too. But it is not as bad as Rangoon.”

Nargis is expected to enter northwest Thailand on Saturday night. Thai officials warned residents in 14 provinces of the potential for flooding, according to The Nation, a Bangkok-based English language newspaper.

Nargis was the first storm to hit the Bay of Bengal since cyclone Sidr, which killed nearly 3,400 people when it hit southwestern Bangladesh on November 15, 2007, as a Category 4 storm, according to the Pacific Disaster Center in Maui.