NDRRMC warns possibility of storm surge

Quezon City, Philippines – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through their official social media accounts posted yesterday midnight warned that a possible storm surge measuring as high as one to two meters may occur in coastal areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) further advising those residing in said areas to evacuate.

“Posibleng storm surge na aabot sa 1-2 metro ang taas sa baybaying dagat ng Las Piñas, Parañaque, Pasay, Manila at Navotas. Lumikas ang mga nasa mababang lugar at baybaying dagat,” NDRRMC warned.

The same warning was also addressed to those in coastal areas of Pangasinan, La Union, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, Cavite, Marinduque, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur and Norte, Catanduanes and Quezon.

Following the announcement, affected Local Government Units (LGUs) have already ordered pre-emptive evacuation of thousands of residents in their critical areas today.

What is a storm surge?

Storm Surge which is also known as “Daluyong-Bagyo” is the abnormal rise in sea level that occurs during tropical cyclones or “bagyo”. It is caused by strong winds and low atmospheric pressures produced by tropical cyclones, according to PAGASA.

“As the tropical cyclone approaches the coast, strong winds push the ocean water over the low-lying coastal areas, which can lead to flooding. This makes storm surges very dangerous,” the state weather bureau said.

In 1881, a storm surge occurred in the Philippines due to super typhoon Haiphong recorded over 20,000 casualties in the northern part of the country. It ranked as the deadliest storm surge that hit the Philippines to date next to the storm surge caused by TY Yolanda.

TY Yolanda’s heavy winds and catastrophic surging of waters has taken away the lives of over 6,300 Filipinos. About 1,061 people went missing after the said super typhoon in November 2013.

NDRRMC advises weather monitoring and executing precautionary measures

Earlier, NDRRMC called and urged the public to take necessary precautions as "Ulysses" is expected to intensify ahead of its landfall, further advising regional and local DRMMCs that might be affected to continue monitoring weather updates, intensify warning dissemination, and implement prescribed precautionary measures.

PAGASA-DOST likewise through Severe Weather Bulletin #15 issued at 05:00 pm today warned that these storm surges, which may be accompanied by swells and/or breaking waves near the coast, can cause life-threatening and damaging coastal inundation.

“Moreover, there is also a moderate risk of seiche or storm surge over the coastal areas surrounding Laguna de Bay,” PAGASA stated.

Within 3 hours, the center of ‘Ulysses’ is forecast to make landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Calaguas Island, then will draw over Polillo Islands and mainland Quezon between tonight and tomorrow morning and may reach its peak intensity of 140-155 km/h prior to its landfall.

“Afterwards, “ULYSSES” will cross Central Luzon and emerge over the western seaboard of Zambales tomorrow morning,” PAGASA-DOST further stated.

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