Yolanda satellite picture Nov. 8 12:30 p.m.

(Last updated 2:08 p.m.) Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest cyclone to hit the planet in 2013, has now made its fifth landfall over Concepcion, Iloilo Friday noon as it pounds its way across the Visayas region.

It earlier made its 1st landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4:40 a.m. and its second landfall over Dulag and Tolosa in Leyte past 7:00 a.m. It hit the ground for the 3rd time in Daanbantayan, Cebu at around 9:40 a.m. and made a fourth landfall at 10:40 a.m. in Bantayan, Cebu.


Weather Bureau PAGASA said Yolanda is still moving west northwest at a very fast speed of 40 kilometers per hour bearing very strong winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

Yolanda is now expected to traverse the provinces of Biliran, Northern Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblom, Semirara Island, Southern Mindoro and Busuanga in Palawan. With its current movement, it is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning.

According to PAGASA, Yolanda is not just the strongest storm in the Philippine history but also tagged as the most powerful cyclone in the world for 2013. It is placed under category 5, labeling it as a super typhoon.

Public Storm Warning Signal no. 4 is now raised over at least 22 areas:
LUZON:
Southern Occidental Mindoro
Southern Oriental Mindoro
Romblon
Calamian Group of Islands
Masbate

VISAYAS:
Northern Cebu
Cebu City
Bantayan Island
Camotes Islands
Northern Negros Occidental
Capiz
Aklan
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras
   
The following provinces were also placed under Storm Signals 3, 2, and 1 respectively.

SIGNAL NO. 3
LUZON
Rest of Occidental Mindoro
Rest of Oriental Mindoro
Sorsogon
Burias Island
Marinduque
Ticao Island
Northern Palawan including Puerto Princesa City

VISAYAS:
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Bohol
Rest of Cebu
Rest of Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Camotes Island
Biliran province

MINDANAO:
Dinagat Province

SIGNAL NO. 2
LUZON:
Bataan
Metro Manila
Rizal
Cavite
Southern Quezon
Laguna
Batangas
Camarines Sur
Lubang Island
Rest of Palawan
Albay

VISAYAS:
Siquijor

MINDANAO
Surigao del Norte
Siargao
Camiguin


SIGNAL NO 1
LUZON:
Camarines Norte
Rest of Quezon
Polilio Island
Bulacan
Pampanga
Zambales
Catanduanes

MINDANAO:
Surigao del Sur
Misamis Oriental
Agusan del Norte
In a Palace press briefing, Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma said there is a one confirmed fatality in Surigao del Sur. The cause of death was electrocution. Palace said the number of fatalities may continue to go up as the super typhoon continue to batter the country.
Tens of thousands of residents are forced to evacuate their homes.
According to the airport authorities, 453 flights have been cancelled due to Yolanda.
Nearly 3000 passengers are stranded in various ports around the country.
While Metro Manila is experiencing light to moderate rains in the morning, PAGASA said it will get worse in the afternoon or early evening.
Authorities had earlier warned of flashfloods and landslides in the areas that will be hit by Yolanda.

Nearly 3,000 passengers in various ports across the country have been stranded. There have been no official reports of casualties so far.
Over in Southern Leyte, one of the provinces currently being battered by the super typhoon, Governor Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte warned nearby provinces on the wrath of Yolanda.

“We would like to advise all provinces and cities along the path of typhoon Yolanda not to take this typhoon lightly. They have to prepare now, evacuate and make moves. Maghanda na kayo dyan kasi dito talaga sa amin talagang malakas na malakas. Do not under estimate this. Please prepare now,” Mercado said in a phone interview with ANC’s Headstart.

Mercado said, at least 7,771 families or more than 31,000 individuals have already been evacuated.

He added, Southern Leyte is currently experiencing power outage and roads remain impassable due to fallen trees and electric posts.

Over in Romblon, the super typhoon has already made its presence and it is expected to pass through the province in the next few hours. Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmlalo said around 7,000 residents have already been transferred to several evacuation sites as part of their preparations.

Strong winds and rains are now lashing Marinduque especially municipalities in the southern part of the province. Provincial administrator Bong Raza said almost 3,000 people have already been evacuated.

A total blackout struck as early as 6:00 p.m. Thursday in Santa Cruz, Torrijos, Buenavista, and Gasan and 10:00 p.m. in the capital towns Mogpog and Boac.



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