Storm Signal #3 raised over parts of Luzon as Typhoon Vongfong rakes across PH

Public storm signal #3 — indicating moderate to heavy damage — is currently hoisted in at least six provinces in the country, as the Philippines’ first typhoon of the year Vongfong (local name Ambo) makes its fifth landfall in Masbate this morning.

In its 5am briefing, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Vongfong was last seen in the vicinity of Burias Island in Masbate at 3am, marking its fifth landfall since it first struck over San Policarpio in Eastern Samar yesterday noon.

PAGASA said Vongfong is moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) towards Bicol’s Ragay Gulf and is expected to make landfall in Quezon province this morning. The typhoon is packing maximum winds of 125kph, with gustiness of 165kph.

While violent winds and intense rains are expected, the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has yet to report any casualties from the storm.

Signal #3 is currently raised over these areas (121 – 170 kph winds)

• Sorsogon
• Albay
• Northern Masbate
• Camarines Norte
• The western part of Camarines Sur
• The southern part of Quezon

While signal #2 is hoisted in these parts (light to moderate damage, 61 – 120 kph winds)

• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Cavite
• Batangas
• The rest of Quezon
• The rest of Masbate
• The rest of Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Eastern part of Romblon
• Western part of Northern Samar

And signal #1 (zero to very light damage, 30 to 60 kph winds) in these areas

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Oriental Mindoro
• The rest of Romblon
• The rest of Northern Samar
• The northern part of Eastern Samar
• The northern part of Samar
• Biliran
• The extreme northwestern part of Leyte
• The extreme northeastern part of Capiz
• The northeastern part of Iloilo

Moderate to heavy rains are forecasted to occur over Bicol Region, Quezon, Aurora, and Marinduque today. While moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, and the northern part of Nueva Ecija are expected tomorrow.

Vongfong is expected to leave the Philippines by Tuesday morning.

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