PAGASA Raises Signal Number 4 Over 5 Areas (Super Typhoon Yolanda Update)

PAGASA has hoisted the rare Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) Number 4 over five areas as Super Typhoon Yolanda nears Eastern Visayas.

Yolanda satellite image as of 4:30 pm, November 7, 2013

Late Thursday afternoon, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran island were placed under PSWS Number 4, which means more than 185 kph winds may be expected in the areas over at least 12 hours.

The state weather bureau also raised PSWS Number 3 (winds of >100 to 185 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours) over Northern Samar, Masbate, Northern Cebu, Cebu City, Bantayan Island, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Province; PSWS Number 2 (winds of >60 to 100 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours) over Romblon, Sorsogon, Albay, Ticao, Burias Island, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Rest of Cebu, Iloilo, Guimaras, Camiguin, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, and Agusan Del Norte; and PSWS Number 1 (30-60 kph winds may be expected in at least 36 hours) over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Northern Palawan, Calamian Group of Island, Southern Quezon, Siquijor, Misamis Oriental, and Agusan del Sur.

Super Typhoon Yolanda Track Forecast (Source: PAGASA)

According to the PAGASA, Super Typhoon Yolanda was located at 543 km Southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 4:00 PM. The tropical cyclone is packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 33 kph.

Super Typhoon Yolanda is expected to make a landfall in Guiuan or Abuyog, Leyte on Friday. After making a landfall, it is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro then Busuanga and will exit the Philippine landmass (on Saturday early morning) towards the West Philippine Sea.

"Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal #4, #3,#2 & #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said. "Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal #3 and #2 are alerted against storm surges which may reach up to 7-meter wave height."

PAGASA added that the estimated rainfall amount is from 10.0-30.0 mm per hour (Heavy-Intense) within the 600 km diameter of the Typhoon. Sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, it said.