Typhoon ‘Ambo’ Makes Landfall in Eastern Samar

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By EDD K. USMAN

(SDN) — TYPHOON “Ambo” today, May 14, has made landfall over San Policarpo in Eastern Samar, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) headed by Director Vicente Malanum said the tropical cyclone touched land at around 12: p.m. and is moving towards Samar province’s northern portion.

PAGASA issued its Severe Weather Bulletin #14 at 2 p.m., with the next advisory set for 5 p.m.

PAGASA’s bulletin warned of the dangers “Ambo” will bring.

It said the eyewall of “Ambo” “is bringing violent winds and heavy to intense rains over the northern portion of Eastern Samar. Northern portion of Samar and southern portion of Northern Samar will be affected by the eyewall in the coming hours.”

Here’s the PAGASA bulletin issued at 2 p.m.:

• “Ambo” has made landfall over San Policarpo, Eastern Samar at 12:15 PM today.
• The eyewall of Typhoon “Ambo” is bringing violent winds and heavy to intense rains over the northern portion of Eastern Samar. Northern portion of Samar and southern portion of Northern Samar will be affected by the eyewall in the coming hours.
• Heavy Rainfall Outlook:
• Today (14 May): Heavy to intense rains over Samar Provinces, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Albay, Camarines Sur, and the rest of Eastern Visayas.
• Tomorrow (15 May): Heavy to intense rains over Bicol Region. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Northern Samar, Quezon, Aurora, Marinduque, and Romblon.
• Residents in these areas are advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the local rainfall or thunderstorm advisories and heavy rainfall warnings from PAGASA Regional Services Divisions (PRSD). Flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur in highly to very highly susceptible areas during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
• Coastal Water Conditions and Storm Surge Information:
• Within 24 hours, storm surge of 2.0 to 4.0 meters may be experienced over the coastal areas of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar (east coast), Samar (west coast), Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, and Aurora. Along with large swells, this storm surge may cause potentially life-threatening coastal inundation.
• Sea travel is risky for all types of seacrafts over the seaboards of areas under TCWS.

PAGASA’s weathermen tracked the eye of “Ambo” using all available data at 1 p.m. in the vicinity of Oras, Eastern Samar (12.2 °N, 125.4 °E ). The data included those from Guiuan Doppler Radar.

It’s moving in the west direction at 15 km per hour, with its strengthen determined to have maximum sustained winds of 155 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 190 km per hour.

• 24 Hour(Tomorrow morning): In the vicinity of Lopez, Quezon(13.8°N, 122.4°E)
• 48 Hour(Saturday morning):In the vicinity of Tineg, Abra(17.9°N, 120.9°E)
• 72 Hour(Sunday morning): 75 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes(21.0°N, 122.4°E)
• 96 Hour(Monday morning):780 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes(24.7°N, 128.0°E)
• 120 Hour(Tuesday morning):1,915 km Northeast of Basco, Batanes (OUTSIDE PAR)(30.9°N, 137.2°E)

 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no.
AFFECTED AREAS	Luzon Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Catanduanes, and southern portion of Camarines Sur (Cabusao, Libmanan, Pasacao, Pamplona, Canaman, Magarao, Bombon, Calabanga, Camaligan, Gainza, San Fernando, Milaor, Naga, Tinambac, Siruma, Pili, Goa, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Minalabac, Caramoan, Presentacion, Bula, Ocampo, Tigaon, San Jose, Balatan, Nabua, Baao, Sagnay, Bato, Nabua, Iriga, Buhi) Visayas Northern Samar, the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpio, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong), and the northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Hinabangan), and Biliran Mindanao –
Meteorological Condition	A tropical cyclone will affect the locality. Winds of greater than 121 km/h up to 170 km/h may be expected in at least 18 hours.
Impact of the Wind	Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed. Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted. Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses. Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction. There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services. In general, moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
Precautionary Measures	The disturbance is dangerous to the communities threatened/affected. The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all seacrafts. Travel is very risky especially by sea and air. People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas and to stay away from the coasts and river banks. Watch out for the passage of the “eye” of the typhoon indicated by a sudden occurrence of fair weather immediately after very bad weather with very strong winds coming gnerally from the north. When the “eye” of the typhoon hit the community do not venture away from the safe shelter because after one to two hours the worst weather will resume with the very strong winds coming from the south. Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety of strong buildings. Disaster preparedness and response agencies/organizations are in action with appropriate response to actual emergency.
What To Do	If the house is not strong enough to withstand the battering of strong winds go to designated evacuation center aor seek shelter in stronger houses. Stay in safe houses until after the disturbances has left the area. Evacuate from low-lying area and reiverbanks and stay away from coastal areas for possible flooding and strom surge. All travel and outdoor activities should be cancelled. Watch out for the passage of the “Eye Wall and the “Eye” of the typhoon.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no.
AFFECTED AREAS	Luzon Camarines Norte, rest of Camarines Sur, rest of Quezon, and Marinduque Visayas The northernmost portion of Leyte (Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tunga, Alangalang, Sta. Fe, Palo, Tacloban City, Jaro), the rest of Samar, and the rest of Eastern Samar Mindanao –
Meteorological Condition	A tropical cyclone will affect the the locality. Winds of greater than 61 km/h and up to 120 km/h may be expected in at least 24 hours.
Impact of the Wind	Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken. Few big trees may be uprooted. Many banana plants may be downed. Rice and corn may be adversely affected. Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed. Some old galvanized iron roofings may be peeled off. In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities.
Precautionary Measures	The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small seacrafts Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed of movement and the intensity of the storm as it may intensify and move towards the locality. The general public especially people travelling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks. Outdoor activities of children should be postponed. Secure properties before the signal is upgraded. Disaster preparedness agencies / organizations are in action to alert their communities.
What To Do	Prepare flashlights, batteries , matches, kerosene lamps, or candles and charcoal in anticipation of power failure, first aid kit and store ready to eat foods. Keep your cell phones fully charged. Elevate household things in case of flooding. For fishing folks, secure fishing boats in safe area.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no.
AFFECTED AREAS	Luzon Aurora, the southern portion of Nueva Ecija (General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, Cabanatuan, Santa Rosa, Jaen, San Isidro, San Antonio, Cabiao, Bongabon, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Laur, San Leonardo, Peñaranda, Gapan City), Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Romblon, Bataan, and Pampanga Visayas The rest of northern portion of Leyte (Villaba, Kananga, Matag-ob, Palompon, Ormoc, Merida, Isabel, Ormoc City, Albuena, Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Barauen, Julita, Dulag), the northeastern portion of Capiz (Pilar), the northeastern portion of Iloilo (Carles, Balasan, Estancia, Batad), and Northern Cebu (Medelin, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Bantayan, Santa Fe) Mindanao –
Meteorological Condition	A tropical cyclone will affect the locality. Winds of 30-60 km/h may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. (When the tropical cyclone develops very close to the locality a shorter lead time of the occurrence of the winds will be specified in the warning bulletin.)
Impact of the Wind	Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken. Some banana plants may be tilted or downed. Some houses of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed. Unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the tropical cyclone, only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the exposed communities. Rice crop, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.
Precautionary Measures	When the tropical cyclone is strong or is intensifying and is moving closer, this signal may be upgraded to the next higher level. The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and become bigger and higher. The people are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. In the meantime, business may be carried out as usual except when flood occur. Disaster preparedness is activated to alert status.
What To Do	Inspect your house if necessary repair/fixing is needed. Clean up drainage system. Harvest crops tha can be yielded. Monitor the latest Severe Weather Bulletin issued By PAGASA every six hours and hourly updates.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next Severe Weather Bulletin to be issued at 5 PM today.

Source: DOST-PAGASA