Pepito storm surge risks persist in Luzon

Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi) caused a storm surge in the Polillo Islands in Quezon on Sunday morning, with some areas in Luzon remaining at moderate to high risk of storm surges within the next 48 hours despite the typhoon moving away from coastal regions.

PAGASA issued a storm surge warning at 8 a.m. on Sunday and updated it early Monday morning, predicting high risks for multiple provinces in Luzon with storm surge levels ranging from 1.0 to more than 3.0 meters.

Low-lying coastal communities across Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Bataan, Zambales, Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Marinduque, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar are at risk.

Specific municipalities such as Bacacay, Legazpi City, Borongan, Balangkayan, Allen, Calbayog, Virac, Infanta, Real, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, and Isabela may experience inundation due to rising sea water and high waves.

The Philippine Coast Guard also suspended all sea travel in several provinces including Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.

Pepito is now moving northwest at 30 kph with maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and a central pressure of 925 hPa.