Signal No. 4 in four areas in northern Luzon as 'Ompong' closes in

MANILA, Philippines — Signal No. 4 has been raised in Apayao and Abra Friday evening as Typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Mangkhut) moves closer to Luzon. 

Previously, state weather bureau PAGASA has placed Cagayan and northern Isabela under Signal No. 4 as these were the possible places where Ompong will make landfall.

As of 8 p.m., “Ompong” was seen 260 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum winds of up to 205 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 255 kilometers per hour.

The typhoon continues to move 30 kilometers per hour northwest.

Tropical cyclone warning signals have been also raised in the following areas:

Signal No. 4 (Winds of 171 to 220 kph within 12 hours)

• Apayao
• Abra
• Cagayan
• Northern Isabela

Signal No. 3 (Winds of 121 to 170 kph within 18 hours)

• Batanes
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Southern Isabela
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Kalinga
• Mt. Province
• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino 
• Northern Aurora

Signal No. 2 (Winds of 61 to 120 kph within 24 hours)

• Pangasinan
• Tarlac
• Nueva Ecija
• Southern Aurora
• Zambales
• Pampanga
• Bulacan 
• Northern Quezon including Polillo Island

Signal No. 1 (Winds of 30 to 60 kph within 36 hours)

• Bataan 
• Rizal
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Rest of Quezon
• Northern Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island
• Northern Oriental Mindoro
• Masbate
• Marinduque
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Burias and Ticao Islands

Stormy weather is expected over areas under Signal Nos. 2 and 4. Those under Signal No. 1 will experience occasional rains and gusty winds. 

“Ompong” is forecast to hit the Cagayan-Isabela landmass early Saturday morning. 

Weather officials said that the typhoon—the strongest to hit the country this year—will bring intense winds, which will leave considerable damage to structure and will uproot trees and down electric posts. 

PAGASA urged those living in the path of “Ompong," especially residents vulnerable to storm surge, should consider evacuating.