2,000 families in Catanduanes face evacuation due to Ulysses

More than 2,000 families in Catanduanes were ordered to immediately evacuate their residence in preparation for Tropical Storm Ulysses.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Tuesday, the residents should be evacuated by the end of the day as Catanduanes had been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

Local authorities, meanwhile, said one of the problems they encountered in preparation for Ulysses was the lack of evacuation centers because many of the shelters were destroyed due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly.

Evacuated residents will not have to take shelter in big houses in other communities.

The reported evacuation came even as Catanduanes is still reeling from the effects of Rolly.

Earlier, Catanduanes Representative Hector Sanchez said almost 10,000 small residences in the province were damaged due to Rolly.

Governor Joseph Cua said 65% of houses made of light materials were destroyed while 20% of bigger houses were also damaged.

Cua added that around 15,000 families had been affected by the typhoon and that schools were being used as evacuation centers.

The Office of Civil Defense V said six Catanduanes locals had died due to Rolly, while four others were injured.

Cua also estimated that the abaca industry, the province’s main product, had suffered P400 million worth of damage. Damage to other crops was also estimated at P200 million.

Ulysses is expected to move generally northwestward Tuesday, then turn westward on Wednesday.

PAGASA said its center is more likely to make landfall over Quezon on Thursday morning, with a close approach of Catanduanes and Camarines Norte on Wednesday afternoon and evening, respectively. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News