Storm surges hit Bicol ahead of Pepito landfall

EVEN before Super Typhoon Pepito made landfall, powerful storm surges pounded the provinces of Albay, Catanduan, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte on Saturday morning.

Water levels in the coastal towns of Albay, including Legazpi City, rose sharply at 6 a.m.

A boulevard in Legazpi City was also flooded due to a wave caused by strong winds.

DANGEROUS WATER Large waves crash along a seawall ahead of the expected landfall of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) in Legazpi City, Albay Province on November 16, 2024. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that Pepito could have a “potentially catastrophic” impact, with millions of people at risk from storm surges. PHOTO BY CHARISM SAYAT/AFP

In the town of Tiwi, seawater also reached houses in the village of Lourdes.

Meanwhile, the state weather agency issued a red storm warning for Catanduanes at 8 a.m.

“On the coast, strong waves are expected, which can reach 3 meters or more. At the same time, widespread and severe flooding is possible, especially in households near rivers,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in a statement. (Pagasa) said.

“All residents are strongly reminded to evacuate immediately to higher and safer places to avoid any danger caused by the approaching typhoon. Be careful and follow the instructions of local authorities.”

About 255,000 people have fled their homes ahead of Super Typhoon Pepito, which is expected to make landfall late Saturday or early Sunday, becoming the sixth major storm to hit the country in the past month.

With winds gusting up to 230 kilometers per hour, Pepito was on track to slam into the sparsely populated island province of Catanduanes as a super typhoon or “near peak intensity,” the weather service warned.

Seas around Catanduanes are expected to be as high as 14 meters, while the worst-hit areas could experience “significant to strong typhoon-force winds” and a “high risk of life-threatening storm surges” of more than 3 meters, the forecaster said.

At least 163 people have died in five storms that have battered the Philippines in recent weeks, leaving thousands homeless and destroying crops and livestock.

On Saturday, the government urged people to heed warnings and flee to safety.

“If a pre-emptive evacuation is necessary, let’s do it and not wait until the dangerous hour before evacuating or seeking help, because if we do, we will put not only our lives at risk, but also the lives of our rescuers.” — MIA. This was stated by Deputy Minister Marlo Iringan.

In Albay province, Myrna Perea, a grocer from Legazpi City, with her fruit vendor husband and their three children hid in a school classroom with nine other families after they were ordered to leave their shack.

Conditions were hot and cramped — the family spent Friday night sleeping together on a mat under a classroom ceiling fan — but Perea said it was better to play it safe.

“I think our house will be destroyed when we come back because it’s made of light materials – it only takes two gusts of air to blow it down,” Perea, 44, said. “That’s why we evacuated. Even if the house is destroyed, the main thing is that we do not lose a family member.”

Scientists have warned that climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rain, flash floods and stronger gusts.

About 20 powerful storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people, but rarely do such weather events occur outside a small window.

Forced evacuations

Evacuation centers were filling up on Catanduanes Island in the typhoon-prone Bicol region, and the state weather forecaster warned Saturday of “massive incidents of severe flooding and landslides.”

More than 400 people were trapped inside the provincial government building in the capital Virak, while new arrivals were sent to a sports hall, provincial disaster officer Roberto Monterola said.

Monterola said he had sent soldiers to force about 100 households in two coastal villages near Virak to move inland because of fears the storm could flood their homes.

“Regardless of the exact point of landfall, heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge may occur in areas outside the projected landfall area,” the forecaster said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) intensified calls for immediate evacuations in high-risk areas as Pepito headed for landfall over the weekend.

In a memorandum, Interior Secretary Yonwich Remulla ordered local government units (LGUs) in Luzon and the Visayas to strictly follow precautionary evacuations in communities threatened by floods, landslides and storm surges.

“Local governments must prioritize the safety of residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities,” Remulla said. He also emphasized the need for evacuation centers to meet safety standards and be equipped with the necessary sanitary and medical facilities.

With Pepito predicting heavy rainfall, the DILG warned that the storm could cause water levels in major dams to rise significantly, potentially triggering water release operations that could affect downstream communities.

Local governments were urged to coordinate relief efforts with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and regional disaster risk reduction councils.

The threat of life-threatening storm surge is also a major concern as Pepito approaches. Remulla urged residents of low-lying and coastal areas in 23 provinces, including Metro Manila, to prepare for storm surges that could reach 5 to 7 meters in height. The areas most at risk include provinces along the west and east coasts, from Ilocos Norte to Samar and several provinces in Bicol.

“This is no joke. Evacuate immediately!” Remulla said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He warned that some coastal areas could be inundated by rising sea levels and high waves that could exceed the height of typical houses.

More than 40,000 families have already been evacuated as a precaution, and authorities are urging residents in the typhoon’s path to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), a total of 43,623 families — equivalent to 134,653 people — had been relocated to safer areas as of 7 a.m. Saturday.

“Our main goal is to ensure the safety of every citizen,” said Deputy Minister Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator. “We have deployed emergency supplies, including food kits for families, hygiene kits, and a total of 36,694 uniformed military personnel ready for search, rescue and relief operations.”

“Back to normal”

In Northern Samar province, disaster officer Ray Josiah Echano complained that damage caused by typhoons is a major cause of poverty in the region.

“Every time a typhoon like this happens, it takes us back to the Middle Ages; we’re going (back) to the beginning,” Echano said as the province braced for Pepito’s onslaught.

All vessels, from fishing boats to oil tankers, have been ordered to stay in port or return to shore.

The volcanological agency also warned that the heavy rain that Pepito is dumping could trigger flows of volcanic sediment, or lahars, from three volcanoes, including Taal, south of Manila.

Pepito will hit the Philippines at the end of the typhoon season, with most cyclones developing between July and October.

Earlier this month, four storms clustered together in the Pacific Ocean basin, and the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Saturday that it was the first time such a phenomenon had been seen in November since records began in 1951.

Videos appeared on social media showing large waves hitting the shore and seawater reaching Legaspi Boulevard.

“There is now a storm surge warning in Albay province, and it is possible that the wave height will increase to 2.1-3 meters,” Pagasa said.

Pagasa also warned of a high risk of storm surges during the next 48 hours.

“There is a possibility of life-threatening flooding due to rising sea water along with high waves in low-lying coastal communities in some municipalities in the provinces,” the weather bureau said.

Pagasa said storm surge could reach 3 meters in the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Quezon; 2.1 to 3 meters in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, including Isabela, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Western Samar; and 1 to 2 meters in Ilocal Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Metro Maila, Cavite, Batangas and Sorsogon.

Residents living in low-lying coastal communities are still advised to stay away from the coast or beach, cancel all sea activities, and stay tuned to DOST-Pagasa for the latest updates.

The public and concerned disaster risk reduction and management services are advised to take appropriate measures and precautions.

Storm signal number 5 was issued over Catanduanes and the northeastern part of Camarines Sur.

Signal No. 3 operates over parts of the Bicol Region and Samar Island.

Wind Alert #5 is the highest wind warning that will be issued during Pepito’s passage.

As of 10 a.m. Saturday, the super typhoon was located 250 km east of Juban, Sorsogon, packing winds of 185 km/h with gusts up to 230 km/h. It is moving west-northwest at 25 km/h.

Also on Saturday, based on the recommendation of the OCD, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) banned ground travel by buses and trucks to Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon). ).

Ground traffic to Bicol has already been suspended to prevent the pile-up of passengers and vehicles stranded along the Maharlika Highway and other major roads in the areas that will be affected by the storm.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged residents to prepare for the potential danger of Pepito, which is expected to directly affect the summer capital.

According to current forecasts, the city is almost in the direct path of the howler and if the scenario does not change, there will be heavy to heavy rain from 4 pm Sunday to 7 am Monday.

“We need to be alert, especially since the main blow will hit us at night,” the mayor said.