Storm surge affecting coastal areas in Region 5

Several areas in Region 5 are experiencing storm surge as Super Typhoon Pepito nears, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 5 said Saturday.

“Mayroon na pong mga areas na affected ng storm surge. Yung areas ng Catanduanes, Tiwi, Malinao, Rapu-Rapu, at sa city ng Legazpi. Hindi pa naman siya kalakihan pero umabot na po sa mga kabahayan,” said OCD Region 5 Director, Claudio Yucot in an interview on super radyo dzBB.

(There are already areas affected by the storm surge. The areas of Catanduanes, Tiwi, Malinao, Rapu-Rapu, and the city of Legazpi. He is not big yet, but he has reached the households.)

In a 24 Oras Weekend report by Bernadette Reyes, Legazpi City Boulevard was flooded due to storm surge. In Tiwi, the flood quickly rose and even entered some houses.

In Polangui, a mall was filled with people who evacuated to avoid being hit by the typhoon. 

Big waves in the sea along the coast of Sangay in Camarines Sur were also seen. 

Residents along the coastal areas were urged Friday to hold pre-emptive evacuations.

“At this moment, meron na po 59,560 families, 184,259 individuals. Inaasahang ito ay lalaki pa sa mga susunod na oras, pagdating ng mga reports,” said Yucot 

(At this moment, there are 59,560 families, 184,259 individuals. It is expected to grow in the next few hours as reports arrive.)

OCD is expecting at least 300,000 evacuees due to Pepito. 

The agency also continues to call for the evacuation of some residents who are still staying in their houses to ensure their safety. 

“Inaanyayahan po natin sila na lumikas na. May naiwan pang residente sa storm surge areas. Lumikas na po tayo habang di pa palaki ang storm surge,” he added. 

(We invite them to evacuate. There are still residents left in the storm surge areas. Let's evacuate before the storm surge gets bigger.)

Meanwhile, Catanduanes power grid will implemented a total shutdown on Saturday in preparation for the threat of Super Typhoon Pepito.

First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. said the shutdown is to give Sunwest Water and Electric Co., Inc. (SUWECO) and National Power Corporation (NPC) personnel ample time to secure their power plant units and substations.

Based on the report of the DSWD, Catanduanes have over 9,000 families or 31,000 individuals are currently staying in the evacuation center. 

As of 5 p.m. PAGASA said Super Typhoon Pepito "continues to threaten potentially catastropihc and life-threatening situation for Bicol Region."

Signal No. 5 has been raised over Catanduanes and the northeast portion of Camarines Sur. 

PAGASA noted that Pepito will likely make landfall over Catanduanes as a super typhoon at or near peak intensity, and as a super typhoon or typhoon over the Quezon-Aurora area. 

—VAL, GMA Integrated News