Stronger ‘Nona’ bearing down on Samar, Bicol

A young Filipino boy is carried by his mother in Legazpi, Albay, in this Dec. 8, 2014, file photo at the onslaught of Typhoon Hagupit. Eastern and Central Philippine provinces are bracing for Tropical Storm Nona which is expected to make landfall in the Bicol-Samar area. AP

Severe tropical storm “Nona” continued to pick up strength as it headed toward the Samar-Bicol area, the weather bureau said Sunday morning.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm had maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kilometers per hour.

The storm was estimated at 565 kilometers east of Catarman, northern Samar.

Public storm warning signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias, Ticao Islands, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte, and Dinagat province.

Pagasa said signal No. 1 may also be raised tonight over Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon.