Magpale Urges Public to Evacuate

Tropical Depression (TD) Domeng may not be strong as forecast but Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale urged residents living along the possible storm-surge areas to evacuate to ensure safety.

“They should evacuate. They should listen to their local risk reduction and management councils,” Magpale said in an interview with reporters Tuesday.

Magpale said that although the storm surge is said to be only 2 meters, and while the weather was hot yesterday, the public should not let its guard down as the weather was also the same before super typhoon Yolanda struck Visayas in 2013. It was in typhoon Yolanda wherein the Philippines came face-to-face with a storm surge that killed thousands in Tacloban City.

Meanwhile, Magpale said that as of Monday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) had convened to prepare for TD Domeng. She said relief goods have already been prepared “just in case.”

“But let’s just hope di lang kakusog,” she said.

Last Monday, the government’s Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) issued an advisory on 61 barangays in Cebu which could have a storm surge due to Domeng as it is expected to hit the province Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the Project NOAH forecast, there will be a rise in the sea water level at around two meters with maximum 0.5 to 0.6 meters in some areas.

Project NOAH named some coastal barangays in Toledo City as among those threatened by the storm surge.

The towns of Samboan, Badian, Santander,Barili, Balamban, Moalboa, Dumajug and Alegria were also warned of the impending storm.

Image Credit: cebudailynews.inquirer.net