Typhoon Gorio strikes Visayas Provinces - June 29, 2013

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has put five provinces in Visayas and Mindanao under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1.

This came after the Low Pressure Area near Surigao City developed into a tropical cyclone on Thursday evening, Pagasa said.

The state weather bureau named the weather disturbance Tropical Depression “Gorio,” which is the seventh cyclone to hit PH this year.

Public Storm Warning Signal No.2 has been raised over:

Catanduanes
Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate
Burias Island
Ticao Island
Samar
Leyte
Biliran Island
Dinagat Province
Siargao Island

Public Storm Warning Signal No.1 is hoisted over:

Quezon
Polillo Island
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Marinduque
Romblon
Aklan
Capiz
Northeastern Iloilo

"Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signals number 1 and 2 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," PAGASA said a bulletin issued 11 p.m.

The weather bureau said "Gorio" has gained strength as it moves closer to Eastern Visayas.

It is now packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The storm is carrying estimated rainfall amount of between 5mm to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 300-kilometer diameter.

As of 10 p.m. Friday, the center of Gorio was estimated to be at 250 km east of Maasin, Southern Leyte.

The storm, which is moving west-northwest at 15 kph, is expected to be near Catarman, Northern Samar by Saturday evening.

By Sunday night, it will be near Cabanatuan City.

Metro Manila threat

The storm might hit Metro Manila after making landfall in the Visayas, according to weather forecasts on the storm. 

Storm tracking made by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Watch Center (JTWC) based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, indicates that the metropolis will feel Gorio's brunt late Saturday night until Sunday morning.

A projected track of the storm shows Gorio hitting Samar first, before hammering the Bicol Region, Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon.

The storm is expected to exit into the West Philippine Sea near Lingayen Gulf.

The JTWC said Gorio will gather strength before making landfall in Samar, and then weaken as it rolls across the archipelago.

It will again intensify when it reaches the West Philippine Sea before making another landfall in China.

Mario Palafox, senior forecaster at state bureau PAGASA, told ABS-CBN News Friday that the heavy rains may start falling in Metro Manila Saturday afternoon.

"At inaasahan nating bukas ng hapon ay medyo magdedeteriorate na o pasasama na yung panahon natin. At tuloy tuloy yan hangang Monday. Sa Monday inaasahan natin na mas malakas yung ulan na mararanasan," he said.

"Dito sa may Eastern Visayas at dito sa may Southern Luzon, buong Luzon na, inaasahan nating magiging maulan tayo dito so kung may balak tayong mag-outing sa weekend, ay mabuting pagpaliban natin," Palafox warned.

"Inaasahan nating bukas ng tanghali, yung bandang Northern Samar siya maglalandfall, unang maglalandfall. So buong Samar, inaasahan nating magiging maulan sila at pagbugso ng hangin na mararanasan at pagkatapos noon, tatawid siya ng Samar at magsesecond landfall o pangalawang landfall siya dito sa may bandang Aurora," he said.

"Inaasahan nating tatawid siya ng Central Luzon. Mag-eexit siya siya doon sa Pangasinan, La Union area ng mga Monday tapos Tuesday ng hapon inaasahan nating makakalabas na siya ng ating Philippine area of responsibility," Palafox said.