Thousands Stranded as PHL Readies for ‘Ruby’

More than 2,000 travelers were reportedly stranded as ports were shut across the country and some local governments ordered forced evacuations Friday as super-typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) nears.

Report said more than 2,000 passengers were stuck in the ports in Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao after the coastguard stopped sea travel ahead of the category 5 storm, which could hit areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda last year.

Armand Balilo, a coastguard spokesman, said over GMA News Online report that they’ve warned vessels early to move away from shore and not just anchor their ships. He added that previously, they just anchored their ships, making the waves to washed them away.

Ruby was churning across the Pacific with the eye of the storm around 500 km (310 miles) southeast of the Philippines, the local weather bureau said, packing winds of up to 215 kph (130 mph) near the center with gusts of up to 250 kph.

The typhoon is expected to slam into Eastern Samar province on Saturday, with torrential rain and 3- to 4-meter high storm surges, the weather bureau said.

The storm was moving towards land at around 15 kph (10 mph).

Source: GMA News Online