PAGASA warns of life-threatening storm surges in 30 areas amid Tino wrath

As Typhoon Tino began crossing the Visayas before dawn Tuesday, the state weather bureau issued a new storm surge warning for 30 areas that may be hit by life-threatening and damaging storm surges exceeding three meters.

In its 2 a.m. storm surge warning for Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said there is a “high risk of life-threatening storm surges” within the next 36 hours.

The state weather bureau said there is “a possibility of inundation from rising sea water along with high waves” in low-lying coastal communities of 30 areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Storm surges with heights of more than 3 meters are expected in low-lying coastal communities of:

• Dinagat Islands
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Samar (Western Samar)
• Surigao del Norte

Storm surges with heights of 2.1 to 3 meters are expected in:

• Biliran
• Cebu
• Leyte
• Northern Samar
• Samar (Western Samar)
• Southern Leyte

Storm surges with heights of 1 to 2 meters are expected in:

• Agusan del Norte
• Aklan
• Antique
• Bohol
• Camiguin
• Capiz
• Cebu
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Masbate
• Misamis Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Negros Oriental
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Palawan
• Romblon
• Siquijor
• Surigao del Sur

PAGASA warned residents of low-lying coastal communities in these areas to stay away from the coast or beach, cancel all marine activities, and to move to higher ground away from the coast and storm surge-prone areas.

In its 2 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the state weather bureau said the eye of Tino was estimated to be over Mahaplag, Leyte as of 1 a.m. Tuesday.

It made landfall in Silago, Southern Leyte at Tuesday midnight.

Nine areas in Visayas and two areas in Mindanao are under Signal No. 4 while 10 areas in the Visayas and an area in Mindanao are under Signal No. 3. — JMA, GMA Integrated News