'Yolanda' to generate up to 17 feet storm surge, tides

MANILA, Philippines - Super typhoon "Yolanda" will make landfall on Friday over Eastern Visayas where high storm surges and tides have been predicted.

According to the latest data of the Department of Science and Technology's Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), storm surges and tides with a height of 5.2 meters (17 feet) is forecast in Ormoc, Leyte.

A total of 68 localities where storm surges have been predicted where included on Project NOAH's updated list.

"Kung kayo po ay nasa listahan ng predicted storm surge areas, seryosohin po at baka mapanganib ang alon ng dagat," Project NOAH's Dr. Mahar Lagmay said in his Twitter account.

In a televised address on Thursday evening, President Benigno Aquino III said authorities are monitoring the threat of storm surges in more than a hundred areas.

"Storm surges are expected in Ormoc, Ginayangan Ragay Gulf in Albay, and Lamon Bay in Atimonan. Waves in these areas may reach five to six meters," he said.

At 11 p.m. Thursday, Yolanda was spotted at 250 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar bearing maximum winds of 225 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 260 kph.

Yolanda, which is considered as the world's strongest tropical cyclone this year, is expected to make landfall on early Friday morning over Eastern Visayas, where storm warning signal no. 4 has been raised in several areas.