Cagayan braces for impact of storm Siony

The municipal governments of Santa Ana and Gonzaga in Cagayan have made their preparations as severe tropical storm Siony inches toward the country.

Residents at Barangay Casitan in Gonzaga, especially those living in coastal communities, used ropes around their roofs and tied them on trees in case of strong winds, according to a "24 Oras" report by Vonne Aquino.

Boats were also secured to higher grounds as preparation when the river water rises and cause floods.

Barangay officials said they will evacuate residents should high tide and storm surge occur at the same time.

"Kahapon pa pinaghahanda na namin sila para sa ganu'n ay maiwasan 'yung epekto ng bagyo. 'Pag high tide talagang umaapaw dito. Lalo na kung malakas 'yung bagyo, malaki 'yung mga alon," Joey Doctolero, Baragay Casitan chairman, said.

Santa Ana, which is at the farthest side of mainland Cagayan and surrounded by Philippine Sea, meanwhile had prepared for possible flashfloods.

"Marami kang tributaries dito manggagaling sa Sierra Madre. There are some problems pagdating po sa mga ilog natin, silted na rin kaya madaling mag-flash ang tubig. And lastly pagkasabay 'yan ng high tide, lahat ng tributaries or 'yung tubig manggagaling sa bulubundukin natin," Santa Ana Mayor Nelson Robinion said.

Personnel of the provincial government of Cagayan have also been positioned in their designated areas, as well as in evacuation centers.

No preemptive evacuation was conducted so far in the 16 barangays of Cagayan as of posting time.—Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News