Severe Weather Update for Typhoon “‪‎Ruby‬” (Hagupit)

As of 11 am, December 5, Typhoon ” Ruby” has maintained its strength as it continues to move West Northwest towards the Eastern Samar- Northern Samar Area.

Expected landfall: Saturday evening over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area and it will be associated with strong winds, storm surge (4-5 meters) and heavy-intense rainfall.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20 mm per hour (heavy – intense) within the 700 km diameter of the typhoon.

“RUBY” and the Northeast Monsoon will bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and over northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. Fisherfolks and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards.

Expected Exit PAR: Wednesday morning (Dec. 9).

Location of eye/center: At 10:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon “RUBY” was located based on all available data at 435 km East of Borongan, Eastern Samar (11.8°N, 129.4°E). Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph Forecast Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 13 kph.

Forecast Positions:

24 hour (tomorrow morning): 120 km East Northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar

48 hour (Sunday morning): 50 km West of Catarman, Northern Samar or at 60 km East of Masbate City, Masbate.

72 hour (Monday morning): in the vicinity of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

Public Storm Warning Signal #2 (Winds of 61-100 kph is expected in at least 24 hrs)

LUZON: Sorsogon, Ticao Island and Masbate

VISAYAS: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Cebu City, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island

Rice and corn maybe adversely affected

• Few large trees uprooted

• Large number of nipa and cogon houses partially or totally unroofed and old galvanized iron roofs may roll off.

• Billboards/Signage may roll off

• Travel by all types of sea vessels and aircrafts are risky

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Public Storm Warning Signal #1 (Winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hrs)
LUZON: Catanduanes, Albay,Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Burias Island and Romblon
VISAYAS: Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Rest of Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol
MINDANAO: Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur and Camiguin Island

• Twigs and branches of trees maybe broken

• Some banana plants may tilt or land flat on the ground

• Rice in flowering stage may suffer significant damage

• Some nipa and cogon houses maybe partially unroofed

• Sea travel of small sea crafts and fishing boats is risky

These areas will have occasional rains with occasional gusty winds.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next weather bulletin to be issued at 5 PM today.

Source: Cebu City PIO, Pag-asa