Signal #4 up in Eastern Visayas due to faster 'Yolanda'

MANILA, Philippines - Five areas in Eastern Visayas are now under public storm warning signal number 4 after Super Typhoon "Yolanda" gained more speed, the state weather bureau said Thursday afternoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 5 p.m. update that Yolanda is now packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 250 kph.

A weather forecaster at PAGASA said during a press conference that the super typhoon may have already reached its peak.

It was last spotted at 543 kilometers southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar moving west northwest at 33 kph.

Public storm warning signals have been raised in the following areas:

SIGNAL NO. 4
Eastern Samar
Samar
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Biliran Island

SIGNAL NO. 3
Visayas
Northern Samar
Masbate
Northern Cebu
Bantayan island

Mindanao
Siargao Island
Dinagat Province

SIGNAL NO. 2
Luzon
Romblon
Sorsogon
Albay
Burias Island

Visayas
Bohol
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Aklan
Capiz
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras

Mindanao
Surigao Del Norte
Surigao Del Sur
Agusan del Norte

SIGNAL NO. 1
Luzon
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Mindoro Provinces
Marinduque
Northern Palawan
Calamian Group of Island
Southern Quezon

Visayas
Siquijor

Mindanao
Misamis Oriental
Agusan del Sur

At a televised press briefing, PAGASA said Yolanda is still expected to make landfall over Samar-Leyte area on Friday morning.

After hitting Guiuan or Abuyog, Leyte, Yolanda is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro then Busuanga, Palawan.

Yolanda is expected to exit the Philippine landmass by Friday Night towards the West Philippine Sea.