'Ambo' weakens after crossing Samar island, may make landfall in Bicol

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Ambo (international name: Vongfong) weakened Thursday night after crossing Samar island, Pagasa said in its latest Severe Weather Bulletin.

As of 10 p.m., the eye of "Ambo" was 40 km west southwest of Catarman, Northern Samar or 60 km southeast of Juban, Sorsogon and moving northwest at 15 kph.

The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph, Pagasa also said.

The eyewall—the ring of clouds around the storm's eye—is bringing violent winds and heavy to intense rain over southern Sorsogon and Ticao island. "Ambo" is forecast to make landfall over the coast of Albay or northern Sorsogon in the next few hours.

"Ambo" will bring moderate to heavy rain over the Bicol region, Quezon, Northern Samar, Marinduque and Rizal until Friday evening.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is raised over the following areas: 

Luzon

• Sorsogon
• Albay
• Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Camarines Norte
• Marinduque
• Southern portion of Quezon (Pagbilao, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Plaridel, Unisan, Gumaca, Pitogo, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Buenavista, Guinayangan, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco)

Visayas

• Western portion of Northern Samar (San Vicente, Capul, San Antonio, Allen, Victoria, San Isidro, Biri, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, Bobon, Catarman, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, San Roque, Pambujan, Silvino Lobos)
• Northwestern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tarangnan, Sto. Niño, Almagro, Tagapul-an).

Residents of these areas are advised to stay in safe houses or seek shelter in evacuation centers until the typhoon passes. Those living on low-lying areas, along riverbanks, or in coastal areas should evacuate in case of flooding or storm surges.

The following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2:

Luzon

• Southern portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis, Dingalan)
• Southern portion of Nueva Ecija (Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Peñaranda, Gapan City, San Leonardo, San Isidro, Cabiao)
• Eastern portion of Pampanga (Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, Apalit)
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Rizal
• Rest of Quezon
• Romblon

Visayas

• Rest of Northern Samar
• Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian)
• Central and northeastern portions of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Zumarraga, Daram, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Calbiga)
• Biliran

Winds of greater than 61 kph to 120 kph may be expected in these areas in the next 24 hours and residents are advised to prepare for possible flooding and power outages.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over the followning areas:

Luzon

• Mainland Cagayan
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Rest of Nueva Ecija
• Rest of Pampanga
• Rest of Aurora
• Oriental Mindoro

Visayas

• Northern portion of Leyte (Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tunga, Alangalang, Sta. Fe, Palo, Tacloban City, Jaro, Villaba, Kananga, Matag-ob, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Ormoc City, Albuena, Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Burauen, Julita, Dulag)
• Rest of Samar
• Rest of Eastern Samar
• Northeastern portion of Capiz (Pilar)
• Northeastern portion of Iloilo (Carles, Balasan, Estancia, Batad)
• Northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Bantayan, Santa Fe)