Baguio City braces for Super Typhoon Pepito

Authorities in Baguio City are preparing for the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito on Sunday, after Signal No. 5 was raised over the eastern Polillo Islands.

In Darlene Cay’s report, Baguio City is under Red Alert status due to the looming effects of Pepito.

PANOORIN: Kasalukuyan nang nasa ilalim ng red alert status ang Baguio City bilang paghahanda sa inaasahang pagtama at pagdaan ng Super Typhoon #PepitoPH.

Ayon sa Baguio CDRRMO, ang mga residente at turista sa lungsod ay maaaring tumawag sa 911 para sa anumang emergency… pic.twitter.com/MxY8iEYM4d

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) November 17, 2024

This means that all of the city’s emergency response units have been activated and on standby.

The Baguio City Smart City Command Center is monitoring for emergency calls and prepping the deployment of emergency response units when needed.

The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has distributed its rescue equipment to different areas in the city for easy access.

Residents are advised to call 911 for emergencies.

Tourists were advised to postpone their travel to Baguio City as well as to Benguet, where Signal No. 3 is currently in effect.

People leaving Baguio City were advised to delay their departure until Monday for their own safety.

Residents in landslide and flood-prone areas were advised to conduct preemptive evacuations.

Of the 128 barangays in Baguio, five were identified as landslide-prone areas while three sd flood-prone areas.

“Yun mga areas na landslide and flood-prone areas, they are reminded to conduct preemptive evacuation na. Papasyalan natin sila mamaya just to remind them na kailangan lumikas dahil ineexpect na araramdaman natin yung effect by 2 p.m. siguro until 4 a.m.,” said Julius, Baguio CDRRMO operations officer.

(Those living in landslide and flood-prone areas are reminded to conduct preemptive evacuation. We will check on them later just to remind them that they need to evacuate because we expect to feel the effect of Pepito by 2 p.m., maybe until 4 a.m.)

State weather bureau PAGASA has raised Signal No. 4 over Baguio.

Meanwile, James Agustin reported that some farmers in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija took advantage of the fair weather to harvest their crops.

Agustin said some residents have placed weighted objects on their rooftops and prepared their belongings for possible evacuation.

First responders have also prepared rescue boats in case residents need to flee from their homes.

Signal No. 4 was also hoisted over Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, Fe Marie Dumaboc reported that waves have become calmer in Barangay Dalakit in Catarman, Northern Samar. 

Some residents, including children, were also seen strolling along the seashore.

However, the Northern Samar Provincial DRRMO reminded residents not to be complacent of the fair weather.

As of 6:30 a.m. evacuees in Northern Samar returned to their respective homes.

The PDRRMO said evacuees started going back to their homes as early as 3 a.m. when fair weather was observed.—RF, GMA Integrated News