Disaster management councils across the PHL prepare for Jenny

Provinces across the country have started preparing for Tropical Storm Jenny, which was expected to make landfall over Luzon sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

However, with Jenny still over the Pacific Ocean, inclement conditions had started to inconvenience motorists in Las Piñas City as early as Monday evening, according to a Balitanghali report by Ian Cruz.

Light vehicles had difficulty traversing city roads due to gutter-deep flooding, while residents were forced to make preparations against possibly worse flooding.

Despite the absence of a cyclone warning signal, the Ormoc-Leyte City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had activated their preparations for the possible effects of the storm, with first-responders on alert in case of emergencies.

Camarines Sur's Baao town, which had been experiencing stormy conditions since Monday, had also made preparations for the effects of Jenny.

In General Santos City, winds had toppled a tree on a vehicle and a house gate. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

The La Union Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office had also made its preparations for the storm, with the entire province being placed on red alert.

While fishermen and seafarers were prohibited from sailing, and Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel was closed to tourists, it remained unclear whether surfing was prohibited in San Juan town.

The PDRRMO explained that preemptive evacuations would be based on Jenny's movement. Evacuation centers were on standby but remained closed as of posting time.

The PDRRMO added there were about 2,000 family food packs prepared for possible distribution.

Disaster officials were also monitoring for possible landslides in upland areas and possible floods in urban areas.

In a separate Balitanghali interview, Aurora PDRRMO Action Officer Elson Egargue said that the LGU had prepared relief goods, medicines, and other resources as Jenny was expected to make a landfall over the province.

Egargue added that evacuation centers for those residing in coastal and low-tide areas had also been prepared.

In Ilocos Norte, PDRRMO Officer 4 Marcell Tabije, said that the province was still recovering from damages caused by Severe Tropical Storm Ineng and the southwest monsoon.

Nevertheless, residents were urged to take precautions against the coming storm, with Governor Matthew Manotoc haveing already suspended classes at elementary and high school levels.

PAGASA placed three areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 2 on Tuesday, while over 29 areas were under Signal 1. — Jamil Santos/DVM, GMA News