Super Typhoon Rolly prompts evacuation of 4,900 families in Quezon province

LUCENA CITY – Over 4,900 families were pre-emptively evacuated in Quezon province as Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) threatens residents living in disaster-prone areas.

Ma. Janet Geneblazo, Quezon public information officer, in a report said that as of 6 a.m. Sunday, 4,911 families (18,783 individuals) were temporarily sheltered in at least 201 evacuation centers – mostly school buildings, covered basketball courts, barangay offices, churches and chapels – in different parts of the province.

The evacuees were being attended to by local social workers and health authorities who imposed strict health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the evacuation centers.

She said the provincial government and local government units have prepared 783 evacuation centers.

In a text message, Lucena Mayor Roderick Alcala said he has also ordered the city disaster risk reduction management office to conduct pre-emptive evacuation of residents along the Iyam and Dumacaa rivers and Tayabas Bay coastline.

On October 8 and 9, heavy rains triggered the twin rivers to overflow and caused two successive flash floods that resulted in the evacuation of more than 500 families living along the side of the rivers.

The riverbanks were inundated with mud and water, which cascaded from Mt. Banahaw.

Governor Danilo Suarez, in his Memorandum Order No. 137 issued Saturday night, ordered all Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC) in every municipalities to conduct “force evacuations” of communities located in hazard-prone areas to ensure the safety of residents.

Suarez also ordered the LDRRMC to make regular reporting of preemptive evacuation status and other preparedness measures through the virtual emergency operation center.

He said the same information should also be forwarded to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for effective and efficient response to urgent situations.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 has been raised over central and southern parts of Quezon. The rest of the province was placed under TCWS No. 3.

Rolly, packing maximum sustained winds of 225 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 280 kph, is expected to pass the province Saturday afternoon until evening.

JE