Bicol braces for ‘catastrophic, life-threatening’ situation due to ‘Pepito’

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Bicol Region is bracing for a possible “catastrophic and life-threatening” situation as Super Typhoon Pepito is expected to make landfall there.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Wind Signal 5 has been hoisted over Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur. Extreme threat to life and property may be experienced.

Camarines Norte, the northern and southeastern portions of Camarines Sur, and the northeastern portion of Albay are under Signal 4.

Under Signal 3 are Polillo Islands, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Quezon, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, the northern portion of Sorsogon, the eastern and central portions of Northern Samar, and the northern portion of Eastern Samar.

Signal 2 is raised over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, Marinduque, rest of Sorsogon, Burias Island, Ticao Island, the central portion of Eastern Samar, the northern portion of Samar, and the rest of Northern Samar.

The following areas are under Signal 1: Mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batangas, the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, the rest of Masbate, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Biliran, the northern and central portions of Leyte, the northeastern portion of Southern Leyte, the northernmost portion of Cebu including Bantayan Islands, the northernmost portion of Iloilo, and the northern portion of Dinagat Islands.

Rainfall outlook, storm surge

Intense to torrential rains of more than 200 millimeters are expected over Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.

Quezon, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar may have heavy to intense rains or about 100 to 200 millimeters.

Moderate to heavy rains, 50 to 100 millimeters, will pour over Aurora, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Marinduque, Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Masbate.

Life-threatening storm surge may occur in low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Ilocos Region, Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran.

Surge heights may reach as high as three meters.

Pepito is forecast to touch the land of Catanduanes on Saturday night or Sunday morning before it exits on Monday.