'Yolanda' moves nearer Samar; Signal No. 3 up in 6 areas

MANILA, Philippines - Public storm warning signal number three were hoisted over six areas in Visayas and Mindanao as super typhoon "Yolanda" continues to move nearer Samar and Leyte provinces before noon Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 10 a.m., the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 637 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or 738 kilometers southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The typhoon has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 250 kph.

"Yolanda" was moving west northwest at a speed of 30 kph.

PAGASA said the typhoon will make landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday.

It will cross Samar-Leyte provinces and hit Palawan before exiting on Saturday morning.

"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," PAGASA said.

Public storm warning Signal No. 3 has been raised over:

Eastern Samar
Samar
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Siargao Island
Dinagat Province

Public storm warning Signal No. 2:

Masbate
Ticao Island
Northern Samar
Biliran Province
Bantayan
Camotes Islands
Northern Cebu
Cebu City
Bohol
Surigao Del Norte
Camiguin
Surigao Del Sur
Agusan Del Norte

Public storm Signal No. 1:

Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Albay
Mindoro provinces
Burias Island
Romblon
Marinduque
Calamian Group of Island
Southern Quezon
Aklan
Capiz
Iloilo
Antique
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Rest of Cebu
Siquijor
Misamis Oriental
Agusan del Sur

The weather bureau said the estimated rainfall amount within the 600 kilometer diameter of the typhoon was 10.0 to 30.0 millimeters per hour (heavy to intense).

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed its units nationwide on full alert as the typhoon is expected to affect the whole country while crossing land toward the West Philippine Sea.