Severe winds, massive waves experienced in Cagayan due to Henry

Strong winds and massive waves were experienced in coastal towns in Cagayan province due to the onslaught of Typhoon Henry, Jasmin Gabriel-Galvan reported Friday on “24 Oras.”

In the municipality of Sta. Ana, where Storm Signal Number 1 was hoisted, nine barangays were being monitored by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) due to the threat of a storm surge.

The at-risk barangays were Casambalangan, Rapuli, Diorazinungan, Centro, Palawig, Sta. Cruz, Tangatan, San Vicente, and Patunungan.

Residents said they were used to these kinds of situations and they were prepared to evacuate if needed. They had also pulled in their boats to prevent them from being swept out to sea.

“‘Yung mga responders natin, ‘yung members of the NDRMMC ( National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), alert at naka-standby sila,” Sta. Ana DRRM officer Marion Miranda said.

(Our responders including the members of the NDRRMC are on alert and standby.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and MDRRMO were on standby at the town port to ensure no boats would sail during the typhoon.

Boat operations to Calayan Island had also been suspended, while inland travel to Calayan Island was halted due to Henry.

Along the Cagayan River, the water level remained normal. But the provincial DRRMO said they were ready to assist should the situation call for an evacuation.

“Wala ring stranded going to Calayan dahil pinatigil natin ang paglalayag ng fishing boat at pag-ferry,” Ruelie Rapsing, Cagayan DRRM Officer, said.

(No one is stranded going to Calayan because we barred fishing boats and ferries from sailing.) — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA News