Signal No. 3 raised in parts of Samar as ‘Opong’ accelerates

MANILA, Philippines — Some parts of Samar have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) maintains its strength while moving closer to the Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon.

As of 2:00 p.m., PAGASA said that Opong is estimated to be at 255 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts up to 135 kph, while moving westward at 15 kph.

Wind signals

Signal No. 3

TCWS No. 3 has been raised over the following areas, where storm-force winds (89 to 117 kph) are expected within 18 hours, posing a moderate to significant threat to life and property:

• Northern Samar: Northern and eastern portions (including Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Palapag, Laoang, San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig).
• Eastern Samar: Northern portion (including San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad, Oras)

Under this signal, considerable roof damage and partial wall failure are possible for houses of poor or average construction, while agricultural crops, like rice and banana plants, face heavy damage.

Signal No. 2

The following areas are placed under TCWS No. 2:

Luzon

• Quezon (Southern Portion): Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Calauag, Lopez, San Andres, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Francisco, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon
• Marinduque (Eastern Portion): Santa Cruz, Torrijos
• Romblon (Northeastern Portion): Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, Banton, Romblon, Corcuera
• All of: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate

Visayas

• Northern Samar: The rest of the province
• Eastern Samar (Central Portion): Can-Avid, Maslog, Taft, Dolores, Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan, Maydolong
• Samar (Northern and Central Portions): San Jorge, San Sebastian, Villareal, Zumarraga, Matuguinao, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, City of Catbalogan, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Hinabangan
• All of: Biliran
• Leyte (Northern Portion): Calubian

Signal No. 1

The following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

Luzon

• Isabela (Central and Southern Portions): Alicia, San Mateo, Aurora, Ramon, Naguilian, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Luna, City of Cauayan, Echague, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Gamu, San Isidro, Cordon, Jones, Burgos, San Mariano, Palanan
• Mountain Province (Southwestern Portion): Bauko, Sabangan, Tadian
• Ilocos Sur (Southern Portion): Sugpon, Alilem
• Entire Provinces of: Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna
• Remaining Portions of: Quezon, Romblon, Marinduque
• All of: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands

Visayas

• Remaining Portions of: Eastern Samar, Samar, and Leyte
• Entire Province of: Southern Leyte
• Cebu (Northern Portion): Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Borbon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Catmon, Tuburan, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Compostela (including Camotes and Bantayan Islands)
• Negros Occidental (Northern Portion): City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay
• Iloilo (Northern Portion): San Dionisio, Batad, Balasan, Carles, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, City of Passi, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Dueñas, Dingle
• Antique (Northern Portion): Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-An, Caluya
• Entire Provinces of: Capiz and Aklan

Mindanao

• Siargao Island
• Bucas Grande Islands
• Dinagat Islands

PAGASA warned that Opong may reach typhoon category before making landfall. The storm is forecast to pass close to or make landfall over Northern Samar on September 26, then cross the Bicol Region and Southern Luzon throughout the day.

Mariners are strongly warned as a gale warning is in effect. High to very high seas are expected, reaching up to 11.0 meters along the eastern seaboards of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Catanduanes, making sea travel risky for all vessels.

There is also a high risk of a life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters within 36 hours over coastal localities in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, where mandatory evacuations may be necessary.