Areas along expected path of Rolly prepare for onslaught

Residents and authorities in areas along the track of Rolly have started preparing for the typhoon's onslaught.

In Quezon Province, residents are bracing themselves for heavy rains and strong winds from Rolly, even as the province has yet to fully recover from Tropical Depression Ofel and Typhoon Pepito.

Fishermen in Tagkawayan, Quezon have already brought their motor bancas to higher ground.

Residents also secured their roofs, tying them onto stronger parts of the house, to prevent these from being blown away by destructive winds.

In Jomalig, Quezon, authorities will start forced evacuations on Saturday.

The local government unit also ordered that trees that may fall be trimmed.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Quezon is also monitoring southern Quezon for possible flooding and landslides.

With the sun still shining on Saturday morning, some children were seen walking along the beach picking up seashells.

Camarines Norte

Meanwhile, in Paracale, Camarines Norte, waves were seen already getting stronger on Saturday morning.

The skies were already getting a bit dark but the sun would shine through clouds at times.

Rains and strong winds are being felt by residents especially those staying beside the coast.

Preemptive evacuations have started in coastal and landslide-prone communities in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, according to a report by Reuters.

Albay

The Albay provincial government also said it would order residents in risky areas to leave their homes, Reuters said.

Aurora

Governor Gerardo Noveras of Aurora on Saturday said evacuation centers have been prepared and heavy equipment prepositioned in anticipation of landslides.

While admitting that observation of physical distancing by evacuees would be a challenge amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Noveras said the local government will assure that people will be wearing their masks. 

On Saturday morning, PAGASA announced that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has already been raised over Catanduanes.

Tagkawayan, Quezon and Camarines Norte were among the areas under TCWS No. 2.

Region V

According to the Office of Civil Defense V, family food packs worth P8.3 million, non-food items worth P26.42 million, and P3 million in stand-by funds have been prepositioned in Region V by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Bicol Response Agencies.

The Department of Health in Region V is now also on Code Blue Alert and activated its 24/7 Operations Center.

The Department of Public Works and Highways meanwhile is closely monitoring national roads and bridges, with disaster risk reduction and management teams on standby ready to respond.

The Philippine National Police-Provincial Regional Office 5 is also on full alert.

The Bureau of Fire Protection in Region V is also on red alert status.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Rolly is expected to bring extensive damage along its path. —With a report from Peewee Bacuño/KG, GMA News