TYPHOON Rolly had spared Pampanga and Central Luzon from otherwise destructive winds and intense rainfall even as it entered the country as a super typhoon, the strongest to hit the country this year.
Local authorities beefed up preparations over the weekend as hundreds of families from 13 towns have been evacuated as precautionary measure.
Some 1,645 families evacuated from risk and low-lying areas in San Simon, San Luis, Arayat, Magalang, Porac, Macabebe, Masantol, Candaba, Apalit, Lubao, Guagua and Floridablanca. They are expected to return to their homes this week.
The province's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has been on alert since Saturday, October 31, and is still monitoring the situation as Typhoon Rolly exits the Philippine area of responsibility.
Governor Dennis Pineda thanked all sectors and government agencies for the immediate preparations for the typhoon.
"Sa kabila ng pagiging isang super typhoon nito, tayo po ay mapalad dahil hindi lubhang naapektuhan ang probinsiya ng Pampanga. Lubos po ang pasasalamat natin na nabigyan tayo ng panahon para magsagawa ng ibayong paghahanda sa Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council," Pineda said.
Meanwhile, 47 barangays are still flooded due to recent rains brought by Typhoon Quinta and the waters coming from northern regions. Two barangays in San Simon are still flooded along with Barangay San Agustin in Candaba town.
Macabebe's 28 barangays are still flooded in an average of one to two feet of floodwater. Some 21 villages in Masantol are still flooded as of Monday, November 2.
Based on the forecast track, Typhoon Rolly is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Tuesday, November 3. It is likely to remain as a tropical storm throughout the forecast period. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to Typhoon Rolly may be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, said Pagasa.