‘Frank’ makes landfall over Eastern Samar, heads for Bicol

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen) made landfall over Eastern Samar province Friday afternoon and is now heading towards the Bicol region, state weather forecasters said. In its 4:45 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said "Frank" was in Western Samar or 50 kilometers southeast of Catbalogan City as of 4 p.m. Pagasa said "Frank" packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, and was moving west northwest at 19 kph. "Frank" was expected to cross Samar province Friday and be over Camarines Norte in Bicol by Saturday afternoon. By Sunday afternoon it is expected to be 50 km northwest of Baler, Aurora. By Monday afternoon it is expected to be 30 km Northwest of Laoag City. Under Storm Signal 3 are Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Burias Island, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate in Luzon; and Samar provinces Leyte and Biliran Island in the Visayas. Signal 2 is up over Quezon, Polillo Island, Marinduque and Romblon in Luzon; Northern Cebu and Southern Leyte in Visayas. Signal 1 is up over Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Mindoro provinces and Metro Manila in Luzon; Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, the rest of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor Island, Negros provinces and Guimaras in the Visayas; and Dinagat and Siargao Island in Mindanao. "Frank" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Southern Luzon, rest of Visayas and Mindanao. Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. It warned those living in coastal areas under signal 2 and 3 against big waves or storm surges generated by "Frank." - GMANews.TV