Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte braces itself as Typhoon ‘Odette’ ravages the province with maximum sustained winds over 185 kilometers per hour. Typhoon ‘Odette’ (international name: Rai) is reported to have made landfall around 1:30 PM, December 16.
Currently, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared that ‘Odette’ will not go beyond the ‘typhoon’ category. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), on the other hand, has categorized the storm as a super typhoon. Additionally, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has placed ‘Odette’ under the ‘Violent Typhoon’ category-which is their highest classification. These differences in classification come from different tropical cyclone intensity scales used by the agencies.
The storm’s path will take it through the country’s central and southern regions. Provinces in Mindanao’s northern portions are expected to weather the worst of the storm. These provinces must prepare to experience intense rainfall and destructive winds. Several provinces in Visayas are also heavily affected.
Raised Tropical Wind Signals and Warnings
As of its landing, PAGASA has raised the Tropical Wind Signal (TWS) in several Areas:
Signal No. 4
- Southern Leyte
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Cebu
- Eastern part of Bohol
Signal No. 3
- Negros Oriental
- Negros Occidental
- Siquijor
- Guimaras
- Agusan del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- the rest of Bohol
Signal No. 2
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands),
- Romblon,
- Oriental Mindoro,
- Occidental Mindoro,
- Northern Samar,
- Eastern Samar,
- Samar
- Biliran
- Iloilo
- Capiz
- Aklan
- Antique
- Agusan del Sur
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Camiguin
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Lanao del Norte
- Bukidnon
- Lanao del Sur
Signal No. 1
- Catanduanes
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Marinduque
- Batangas
- Mainland Palawan (including Balabac and Kalayaan Islands)
- Southern part of Quezon
- Northern part of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay
Aside from increased storm signals, PAGASA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also raised warnings for heavy flooding and storm surges. Provinces like Cagayan de Oro are now experiencing dangerous flooding. On the other hand, those in coastal areas could experience storm surges that rise up to 3 meters in height.
Public Safety
According to NDRRMC, over 45,000 people in Eastern Visayas have been evacuated to nearby emergency shelters. Meanwhile, several super malls such as SM Malls and Robinson Malls have opened their doors to the public for shelter, charging stations, WIFI, and free parking.
With a strength of up to 230 kph, PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano compares ‘Odette’ to Typhoon Pablo, which left massive destruction in its wake back in 2012. The typhoon’s expected destructive power has also increased the anxiety of Yolanda survivors as they voice out on social media their fears of having a repeat of the tragedy.