Severe Tropical Storm Crising exits PAR, may become typhoon Sunday

Severe Tropical Storm Crising intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 am on Saturday, July 19, and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 10 am.

As of 10:00 a.m., the storm was located 235 km west of Itbayat, Batanes, moving west-northwestward at 15 kph.

Crising now has maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and gusts of up to 125 kph, and may strengthen further into a typhoon on Sunday afternoon or evening, July 20.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains in effect for Batanes, the western portion of Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte, with minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds possible.

TCWS No. 1 is raised over Ilocos Sur, northern La Union, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, and the rest of Cagayan, with minimal to minor impacts from strong winds anticipated.

Although Crising did not make landfall, it passed close to mainland Cagayan and near the Babuyan Islands, causing flooding in 26 areas and prompting the evacuation of 96,791 individuals.

Two people remain missing due to the storm's effects.

There is a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge reaching 1.0 to 2.0 meters in coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur within 12 hours.