“Please adjust your travel plans… Tatama siya sa may Isabela-Aurora-Northern Quezon areas anytime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Mag-ingat po tayo,” he said.
The DILG secretary also urged those who are already in these areas to return home by Friday before Chedeng is expected to make its landfall. According to PAGASA’s 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the typhoon is estimated to make landfall over eastern coast of Aurora or Isabela by late Saturday to early Sunday.
“We can’t afford to risk the safety of the residents and an estimated 10,000 tourists in the various towns on the Eastern seaboard,” Roxas said.
The DILG has already alerted the different government agencies to relay pertinent information, offer assistance to stranded travelers, as well as to ensure the safety of all people in the identified areas.
“Listo lang po lagi tayo, and should you need any assistance, the whole of government is at your service,” Roxas said.
According to PAGASA’s latest update, Typhoon Chedeng was located 930km East of Catarman, Northern Samar or 975 km East Southeast of Virac Radar Catanduanes as of 3 p.m.
It has a maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is also expected to bring moderate to heavy rain.
PAGASA also said that it will raise Public Storm Warning Signal #1 over Bicol and Northern Samar within 12 hours. This means that sea travels over these areas may be suspended.
The typhoon may also bring possible flashfloods over low-lying areas and landslides along mountain slopes particularly over Aurora-Isabela area. PAGASA also said that storm surges and sea surface waves of up to 4 meters are possible over the eastern coast of Samar, Bicol and Aurora-Quezon. -NB, GMA News
