Tropical Storm ‘Karen’ intensifies, storm signals raised

Storm signals were raised in several areas in Luzon as Tropical Storm ‘Karen’ further intensified early Friday.

Signal No. 2 was raised over Catanduanes, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Polillo Island, Southern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Northern Samar.

It was also likely that Signal No. 1 will be raised over Aurora and the rest of Quezon province, Pagasa said.

Karen packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 95 kph.

It was last spotted 335 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, and was moving west northwest at 13 kph.

Fisherfolk and those with small vessels were advised to avoid the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon and over the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas.

Karen will bring moderate to heavy rains within its 400 kilometer diameter. CDG

READ: Signal No. 1 up over Catanduanes as ‘Karen’ gains speed