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Utah LDS missionaries found safe after Typhoon Haiyan

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Several Utah families who have LDS missionaries serving in the Philippines have been concerned about their children since Typhoon Haiyan hit.

One West Valley City family breathed a sigh of relief Monday after they received good news about their missionary.

The Hughes family told FOX 13 that their son, Preston, has been serving in the Philippines since July, and was initially unaccounted for after the storm hit. They said at around 1 a.m. they received a phone call that confirmed Preston and his companion, Joseph Baker, had been found safe near the city of Ormoc.

Preston told his family that mission leaders gave missionaries 72 hour kits before the typhoon hit, and told them to wait at their apartment until they received word about evacuations. When no evacuation instructions came, they hunkered down in their apartment.

On the second day, Preston said they sought refuge inside an LDS church house. On the third day, they decided to walk about 40 miles to the city where their leaders were based, and that's when they were found.

FOX 13 also talked to Joseph Baker's mother, Monica Jo Baker, who lives in Lewiston. She said she is grateful her son is OK, and he is scheduled to finish out his mission and return home in about 10 days.

Click here for the latest information on Typhoon Haiyan.