Bagyong Helen August 15, 2012 Update

Bagyong Helen has made a landfall over Isabela and is now traversing Northern Luzon, the PAGASA reported Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

Bagyong Helen satellite image as of 5:32 a.m., August 15, 2012 (Source: PAGASA)

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau stated that  Bagyong Helen was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 60 km South Southeast of Tuguegarao City (17.2°N 122.1°E). Packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph, the tropical storm is forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph.

PAGASA has hoisted Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS) over the following areas:

PSWS # 1 - Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union, Rest of Aurora; and

PSWS #2 - Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra  and Batanes Group of Islands.

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides." PAGASA wrote. "Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical storm."

It added that Bagyong Helen will enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and Visayas especially over the western section.

"Estimated rainfall amount is from 20 - 35 mm per hour (intense - torrential) within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm." PAGASA wrote. "Moderate to heavy rains (7.5 - 12.0 mm/hr) is expected over Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite at early morning today and likewise at mid-morning over Metro Manila. Intermittent light to moderate rains (2.5 - 7.5 mm/hr) over Central Luzon and the rest of Southern Luzon."

The bureau also advised fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the Seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas due to Bagyong Helen and the Southwest Monsoon.