Typhoon Noro blasted the main Philippine island of Luzon on Sunday, prompting warnings that strong winds and torrential rain could cause catastrophic flooding.
The storm’s eyewall, known locally as Typhoon Karding, hit the Polillo Islands at 5 p.m. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the local (5 a.m. ET) came in as a super typhoon and soon after hit the municipality of Baldios in Quezon province.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm had sustained winds of 240 km/h (149 mph) at the time, with gusts of up to 295 km/h (183 mph).
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in an update around 9 a.m. that it has since weakened slightly to a Category 4 storm, but that central Luzon is still subject to “extremely dangerous winds, storm surge, heavy rains and causing catastrophic flooding”.
PAGASA reports that the typhoon is forecast to move westward in the next 6 to 12 hours, then west-northwestward for the rest of the day. Low-lying and exposed coastal areas of northern Quezon province are at high risk of storm surges of more than 3 meters.
Heavy rain is also predicted along the path of the storm in the coming hours. “Under these conditions, landslides due to widespread flooding and rainfall are expected, especially in areas that are highly exposed or highly susceptible,” PAGASA said.
Authorities had earlier issued a high emergency alert as the storm intensified into a super typhoon early Sunday morning local time.
Members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Manila’s Quezon City prepare rubber boats and life vests ahead of Typhoon Noro’s landfall on Sunday.
“Highest emergency preparedness and response protocols have been activated in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol regions,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
He urged the public to exercise caution, adding that strong winds are expected within the next 18 hours.
Schools in several cities, including Muntinlupa City and Aurora, have suspended classes for Monday, September 26 due to the approaching storm.
Typhoon Noro’s forecast path.
PAGASA issued a warning level four signal for Polillo Islands due to the widespread damage caused by the storm.
The warning comes after the storm rapidly intensified early Sunday.
