TYPHOON'S WRATH. A house in Dolores, Eastern Samar totally damaged by Typhoon "Ambo." The typhoon crossed the northern part of the Samar islands on Thursday afternoon (May 14, 2020), unleashing strong winds causing widespread damage. (Photo courtesy of Carlo Tapalla)
TACLOBAN CITY – Typhoon “Ambo” (international name Vongfong) left a trail of destruction in Samar provinces, wounded two persons, drove over 13,000 people away from their homes, and stranded hundreds of travelers when it crossed the island on Thursday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Friday that two persons were injured in Can-avid, Eastern Samar due to flying debris when the typhoon made its first landfall in the province.
Some 13,158 persons in Northern Samar moved to evacuation centers, 2,225 in Samar, and 601 in Eastern Samar, based on the initial reports.
Several structures were destroyed in the provinces of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar while several major roads are not passable due to flooding, potential landslides, uprooted trees, and toppled electric posts, according to the PNP.
Power outages hit 24 towns in Northern Samar, 18 in Samar, four in Eastern Samar, and two in Biliran due to damaged power transmission lines.
The hardest-hit areas are the towns of Bobon, Laoang, Lope de Vega, and Mondragon in Northern Samar; and Arteche, San Policarpio, Jipapad, Oras, and Maslog in Eastern Samar.
“Several structures have been damaged, mostly houses made of light materials, and fishing boats. As to the exact numbers, we are still assessing to determine the extent of damage caused by the typhoon,” said Col. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PNP Eastern Visayas spokesperson.
At least 232 persons and 110 vehicles are stranded at the Allen port in Northern Samar, the PNP said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has deployed maintenance workers to clear roads of debris, electric poles, and trees.
As of Friday morning, Ambo was last seen in the vicinity of Claveria, Masbate with maximum sustained winds of up to 125 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 165 kph moving northwest at 15 kph.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon made its first landfall in San Policarpio, Eastern Samar at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday. (PNA)
