589,235 Moved to Safe Shelters in Albay as Typhoon ‘Nona’ Nears

Legazpi City (PNA) — At least 589,235 persons or 133,905 families were forcibly evacuated in the entire province of Albay to ensure zero casualty in the villages threatened by floods, storm surges, landslides, strong winds and lahar flows.

Albay Gov.Joey Sarte Salceda said those moved from their homes have been temporarily resettled to various evacuation centers in the province.

The local government units of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Tabaco City, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Tiwi, Libon, Oas, Sto. Domingo, Malilipot, Malinao, Bacacay, Jovellar, Pio Duran, Rapu-Rapu, Manito, and Polangui were prompt in the enforcement of preventive evacuation of all residents that would be affected by Nona.

Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Raffy Alejandro said that all Bicol provinces have suspended classes at all levels for both private and public schools in preparation for the strong weather disturbance.

Search and rescue teams of each province have been place on readiness to respond to disaster need of those who will be affected by the typhoon.

At least 1,000 passengers have been stranded in Bicol after the Philippine Coast Guard banned sea travel, especially by vehicles going to the Visayas and Mindanao from Metro Manila. (PNA) FPV/FGS/EMC/CBD/EDS