‘Ruby’ maintains strength, threatens Samar
MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) has maintained its strength as it continues to move West at 10 kilometers per hour (kph) on Saturday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
The state weather bureau, in its 5 a.m. report on Saturday, said the typhoon was last seen 240 kilometers East Northeast of Borongan in Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center with gusts of up to 230 kph.
It has relatively slowed as compared to earlier forecasts and is expected to reach the Eastern Samar and Northern Samar area on Sunday morning. Heavy to intense rainfall or 7.5 to 20 mm per hour of estimated rainfall amount is expected within the 600 kilometer diameter of the typhoon.
On Monday morning, it is expected to be around 30 kilometers East of Romblon. The forecasts said it might reach 150 kilometers West of Calapan City on Tuesday morning.
Storm surges
It is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday evening.
Public Storm Warning no. 3 remained up in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar where winds of 100 to 185 kph are expected in at least 18 hours.
Residents in these areas are warned against flashfloods and landslides and storm surges that may reach up to 4.5 meters. A previous Pagasa report suggested that the storm surges may only reach 4 meters.
Radio reports said Borongan has been experiencing rains and cloudy skies in the past several hours as the local government unit continues to evacuate residents.
Meanwhile, winds of 61 to 100 kph are expected in provinces where Public Storm warning no. 2 was raised. These are Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon Masbate Ticao Island in Luzon; Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Cebu City, Bantayan Island, and Camotes Island in Visayas; and Dinagat Province in Mindanao.
Public Storm Warning no. 1 remain hoisted in Camarines Norte, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Burias Island, Romblon, Southern Quezon, and Marinduque in Luzon; Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Aklan, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Rest of Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol in Visayas; and Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Camiguin in Mindanao.
