Severe Tropical Storm Opong maintains strength; TCWS No. 3 raised over parts of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar

Severe Tropical Storm Opong maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts of up to 135 km/h, located 245 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 has been raised over northern and eastern portions of Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar.

Signal No. 2 is in effect for southern Quezon, eastern Marinduque, northeastern Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

Opong and the southwest monsoon are expected to bring heavy rainfall across the Philippines, with northern and eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Romblon, and Masbate forecast to receive over 200 millimeters of rain.

Storm surges exceeding three meters in height are forecast over coastal communities in parts of Catanduanes, Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay, and Northern Samar.

Opong may pass close or make landfall over Northern Samar early Friday, then proceed to the southern Bicol Region Friday morning or early afternoon.

PAGASA previously stated that strengthening into a typhoon was a possibility for Opong as it approached land.