Yolanda Szuper Tájfún - Yolanda Super Typhoon

http://www.accuweather.com/en/ph/national/satellite

 

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

November 7, 2013

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES.  PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.  THANK YOU.

Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)

This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in the Philippines that the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued alerts for a super typhoon, with the international name of “Haiyan” and the Philippine name of “Yolanda”.  PAGASA has stated that Yolanda will be the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

At 1100 November 7 the eye of the Typhoon Yolanda was located 640 km. east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (8.9°N, 132.1°E) or about 1,550 km. southeast of Manila.  PAGASA reports the typhoon is forecast to move west-northwest at 30 KPH.  Typhoon Yolanda is expected to make land fall by noon on Friday, November 8 in the vicinity of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.  The current storm track projects that Yolanda will move across the Visayas region, pass near Manila Friday afternoon/evening, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early morning, Sunday, November 10.

PAGASA is reporting that Yolanda has sustained winds of 215 KPH with gusts exceeding 250 KPH. Philippine authorities have already declared Storm Signal 3 in eastern Visayas and part of Mindanao and Storm Signals 1 and 2 in many other parts of the country.  If the storm enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility at this intensity, Philippine authorities may raise Signal Flag 4, the highest level of storm warnings. 

Philippine authorities have already begun extensive precautionary preparations for the arrival of Typhoon Yolanda.  The storm will bring extremely heavy rains across most of the Philippine archipelago and pose a threat to safety in many areas of the Philippines.  Authorities are already preparing for possible pre-emptive evacuations in flood-prone, low-lying and coastal areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(NDRRMC) has advised people to be alert, informed, and prepared for the coming typhoon.  A typhoon of this intensity can uproot large trees, cause extensive damage to buildings, tear off roofs, and topple electric poles, thus the NDRRMC has also advised people to take appropriate precautions. For further details, see the PAGASA Severe Weather Bulletin.  

Please monitor the typhoon’s track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring thePhilippine Tropical Cyclone website, the PAGASA website, or the NDRRMC website.  Additional information on emergency situations in the Philippines is available on the Philippine Red Cross andthe NDRRMC websites. 

In the event the typhoon affects where you live, locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions.  Carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.  You should also contact friends and family in the United States with updates about your whereabouts.  Additional information on storm preparedness may be found on the “Hurricane and Typhoon Season” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  We are also including a hand out that discusses basic preparations for emergency situations. 

It is possible that weather conditions may require that the Embassy temporarily close.  In the event of a weather-related closure, the Embassy will issue a message.  The consular Agency in Cebu will, however, be closed on Friday, November 8 due to Typhoon Yolanda, though we anticipate the Agency re-opening for normal business on Tuesday, November 12.  Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website for updated information.

The Embassy will be closed on Monday, November 11 for the Veteran’s Day holiday.  We expect to re-open for normal business on Tuesday, November 12. 

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