Storm alert up over Metro Manila as 'Ruby' hits land

MANILA, Philippines - State weather bureau PAGASA on Saturday night placed Metro Manila under public storm warning signal number one after Typhoon "Ruby" made landfall in Eastern Samar.

PAGASA said that as of 10 p.m., the typhoon was heading toward Masbate. It is expected to make its second landfall in the province by Sunday afternoon.

"It will be associated with strong winds, storm surge (up to 4.5 meters or 14.7 feet) and heavy to torrential rainfall," PAGASA said in its bulletin initially posted on its Facebook account.

The weather bureau said the typhoon's strong wind will "bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and over northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. Fisherfolks and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards."

It was moving west northwest at 15 kph. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday night.

More areas have been placed by PAGASA under storm warning signals.

Signal Number 3

Romblon
Catanduanes
Camarines Sur
Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate including Burias and Ticao Island
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Leyte
Biliran

PAGASA said these areas should expect:

•Heavy damage to agricultural plantation, medium and large trees maybe uprooted
•Considerable damage to structure of light to medium construction, while, majority of nipa and cogon houses unroofed or destroyed
•Severe damage to billboards and signages
•Evacuation to a safer shelters is highly recommended
•Electrical power distribution and communication services maybe severely disrupted

Residents in the mentioned provinces should also prepare for big waves associated with storm surge that may reach up to more than 14 feet, the weather bureau added.

Signal Number 2

Camarines Norte
Southern Quezon
Marinduque
Oriental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro.
Northern Antique
Aklan
Semirara Group of Islands
Capiz
Northern Iloilo,
Northern Cebu including Cebu City, Bantayan and Camotes Island
Southern Leyte

Signal Number 1

Pampanga
Bulacan
Rest of Quezon
Rizal
Cavite
Laguna
Batangas
Lubang Island
Calamian Group of Islands
Cuyo
Metro Manila
Rest of Antique
Rest of Iloilo
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Rest of Cebu
Bohol
Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island and Dinagat Province