COLLAPSED BRIDGE. A bridge in Barangay Badio, Pinili, Ilocos Norte collapses on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022) due to raging waters brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Florita. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc suspended work and classes on Tuesday (Aug. 23, 2022) as he urged residents to brace for the storm. (Photo courtesy of Rod Sadian)
LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte residents have been bracing all day for the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Florita as the weather disturbance continued to bring light to moderate rains in this part of Luzon.
While inspecting typhoon damage in Batac City with several flooded homes due to the swelling of the Quiaoit River, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Tuesday reiterated his call to all concerned residents, particularly those living in flood-prone areas, to prepare for the storm.
“Please exercise caution and make preparations as this is only the calm before the storm,” Manotoc said as his team left Batac and proceeded to neighboring Pinili town to inspect a bridge in Barangay Badio that collapsed at the height of a heavy downpour on Monday afternoon.
He suspended work, except for first responders, and classes at all levels on Tuesday to give enough time for people to prepare for the calamity.
Based on the initial report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), at least 59 houses in Barangay Badio, six houses in Barangay Pagdilao, two houses in Barangay Barbar, and one house in Barangay Salinas, all in Pinili, were submerged in floodwaters.
Two families in Barangay Bulbulala, Pinili were also evacuated to the barangay hall, while a cow in Pagdilao and a carabao in Barangay Cabaruan drowned.
There was a damaged spillway in Barangay Buanga while two sub-sitios in Barangay Capangdangan were isolated due to overflowing water in their spillways.
In Adams town, the PDRRMO reported that Smart telecommunication remains unserviceable (no signal), while the Globe Telecom signal is unstable.
As of Tuesday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has been raised in Ilocos Norte with storm-force winds prevailing in the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, such as in the towns of Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams, Bangui, and Burgos, including the neighboring provinces of Apayao, Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, and Isabela.
Since Monday, members of the search and rescue operation from the provincial and municipal levels have started an inventory of their equipment.
According to the weather bureau, “Florita” made landfall over Maconacon, Isabela on Tuesday morning and is forecast to traverse the northern portion of Isabela and mainland Cagayan.
“Florita” is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday morning. (PNA)
