Signal 4 raised over Cagayan, northern Isabela due to Super Typhoon Ompong

Expected track of Super Typhoon Ompong (Source: PAGASA)

Typhoon Signal Number 4 has been raised over Cagayan and northern Isabela due to approaching Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said late this afternoon.

In a special weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m., PAGASA said Cagayan and northern Isabela may experience winds of “greater than 171 kph up to 220 kph in at least 12 hours.” Ompong is expected to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela early on Saturday morning.

“Coconut plantations may suffer extensive damage. Many large trees may be uprooted. Rice and corn plantations may suffer severe losses,” PAGASA said.

“In the overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy,” it added.

PAGASA urged Cagayan and northern Isabela residents to go to designated evacuation centers if their houses are not strong enough to withstand strong winds.

“Evacuate from low-lying areas and riverbanks and stay away from coastal areas for possible flooding and storm surge,” PAGASA said.

It added that the areas under Storm Signal Number 3 were Babuyan Group of Islands, southern Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and northern Aurora.

Those under Tropical Cyclone Signal Number 2 were Batanes, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, southern Aurora, and northern Zambales.

The areas under Signal Number 1 were southern Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataasn, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon including Polillo island, northern Occidental Mindoro including Lubang island, northern Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias and Ticao islands, and northern Samar.