Masbate, Sorsogon now on Typhoon signal 2; CamSur, CamNorte, Albay and Catanduanes on signal 1 as Typhoon Yolanda nears landfall

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Signal No.3 up on 6 Visayas, Mindanao provinces as Typhoon Yolanda threatens Eastern Visayas. At least six provinces in Visayas and Mindanao are now under public storm warning Signal No.3 as Typhoon Yolanda maintains strength and continues to threaten Eastern Visayas, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Public storm warning Signal No.1 (30-60 kph winds), on the other hand, was hoisted in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Burias island, Romblon, Marinduque, Calamian group of islands (part of Palawan) and southern Quezon, all in Luzon; in Visayas were Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Oriental, rest of Cebu and Siquijor; while in Mindanao were Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Sur.

PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that as of 10:00 a.m., the eye of Typhoon Yolanda was located at 637 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or 738 km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar (8.9°N, 132.1°E ) packed with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

Escullar said that public storm warning signal no. 3 is hoisted over Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte for the Visayas, while in Mindanao were Siargao Island and Dinagat province with expected winds of up to 185 kph.

She said that the areas placed under Signal No. 2 (61-100 kph winds) are Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao island in Luzon; Northern Samar, Biliran Province, Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Northen Cebu including Cebu City and Bohol in the Visayas; while in Mindanao were Surigao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte,

“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal Numbers 3, 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under Signals 3 and 2 are alerted against storm surges,” PAGASA said.

Escullar said since Yolanda has exceeded its wind strength of 185 kph, the agency will likely raise Signal No. 4 as the typhoon continues to move closer to the landmass.

She said that under Signal No. 4, winds may bring extensive damage to coconut plantation, houses and buildings, uproot many large trees and cut power lines.

Escullar said typhoon Yolanda is forecast to move West Northwest at 30 kph.

With its movement and speed, she said Yolanda is expected to make landfall over Samar-Leyte around 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday.

If it does not change its speed and track, she said Yolanda, after hitting Guiuan, is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, southern part of Mindoro then Busuanga and will exit the Philippine landmass (Saturday morning) towards the West Philippine Sea.

She advised residents in the areas that may be affected to be prepared for flash floods and landslides.

Escullar also said typhoon Yolanda is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday evening headed towards Vietnam and Cambodia.

Yolanda is forecast to be at 122 km west of Coron, Palawan by Saturday morning and by Sunday morning it is forecast to be at 954 km west of Manila or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

PAGASA said Yolanda may bring rainfall of 10.0 – 30.0 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 600-km radius.

The weather agency said that sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon. (PNA)

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