TYPHOON Ambo, the first tropical cyclone in the country this year, is forecast to make landfall over Northern Samar or the northern portion of Eastern Samar between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. today, May 14, before heading toward Sorsogon later tonight.
Violent winds and heavy to torrential rains are expected to begin affecting Northern Samar and the northern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar within 12 hours as Ambo nears land.
As of 10 a.m., the typhoon's eye was located at 140 kilometers east southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 185 km/h.
It was moving west at 15 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 3 in the following areas:
* Sorsogon
* Albay
* Ticao Island
* Northern Samar
* Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpio, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong)
* Northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Hinabangan)
These areas will experience strong to destructive typhoon-force winds during the passage of the typhoon.
Under TCWS Number 2 are:
* Southern portion of Quezon (Pagbilao, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Plaridel, Agdangan, Unisan, Gumaca, Pitogo, Macalelon, Lopez, Caluag, General Luna, Catanauan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, San Narciso, Mulanay, San Andres, San Francisco)
* Camarines Norte
* Camarines Sur
* Catanduanes
* Burias Island
* Mainland Masbate
* Marinduque
* Biliran
* Rest of Samar
* Rest of Eastern Samar
Areas under TCWS Number 2 will experience strong to damaging gale/storm-force winds during the passage of the typhoon.
TCWS Number 1 was hoisted over:
* Aurora
* Southern portion of Nueva Ecija (General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, Cabanatuan, Santa Rosa, Jaen, San Isidro, San Antonio, Cabiao, Bongabon, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Laur, San Leonardo, PeƱaranda, Gapan City)
* Bulacan
* Metro Manila
* Cavite
* Laguna
* Batangas
* Rizal
* Rest of Quezon
* Romblon
* Bataan
* Pampanga
* Northern portion of Leyte (Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba, Leyte, Kananga, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tunga, Jaro, Alangalang, Sta. Fe, Tacloban City, Palo, Pastrana, Dagami, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, Ormoc City, Matag-ob, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Albuera, Burauen, Julita, Dulag)
These areas will experience strong to near gale-force winds during the passage of the typhoon.
Pagasa said that today, May 14, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains will be experienced over Samar Provinces, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes, while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be expected over Albay, Camarines Sur, and the rest of Eastern Visayas.
On Friday, May 15, there will be heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Bicol Region and moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Northern Samar, Quezon, Aurora, Marinduque, and Romblon.
Pagasa advised residents in these areas to take appropriate measures, adding that flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur in highly to very highly susceptible areas during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
It also said that within 24 hours, storm surge of two to four meters may be experienced over the coastal areas of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar (east coast), Samar (west coast), Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, and Aurora.
Along with large swells, this storm surge may cause potentially life-threatening coastal inundation, Pagasa said.
It warned that sea travel is risky for all types of seacrafts over the seaboards of areas under TCWS.
Typhoon Ambo is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday morning, May 19. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)