Luis now a typhoon; Isabela, Cagayan under signal no. 3

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MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Two provinces were placed under public storm warning signal number 3 as Typhoon Luis (Kalmaegi) strengthened, bringing heavy to intense rainfall within the 500-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Isabela and Cagayan are now under signal number 3, and can expect winds between 101-185 kilometers per hour in the next 18 hours.

In its 11 pm September 13 bulletin, PAGASA said Luis was located 290 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. Luis is packing winds of 120 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 150 km/h. 

Storm signal number 2 (winds between 61 to 100 km/h in at least 24 hours) was hoisted over the following provinces:

• Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Ifugao
• Mt. Province
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Northern Aurora

Storm signal number 1 (winds between 30 to 60 km/h in at least 36 hours)

• Batanes Group of Islands
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Abra
• La Union
• Benguet
• Pangasinan
• Nueva Ecija
• Rest of Aurora
• Polillo Island
• Catanduanes

PAGASA earlier said areas under signal number 1 should prepare for possible storm surge of up to 2 meters.

Luis is forecast to move west northwest at 20 km/h and will be southeast of Tuguegarao city by Sunday evening. PAGASA earlier said Luis may make landfall over Isabela by Sunday evening should its track remain unchanged.

According to Weather Philippines, both Luis and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will bring moderate to heavy rain across the Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Northern Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon and Western Visayas areas until Monday morning, September 15.

Heavy rain will also plague most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila and Occidental Mindoro from Sunday morning until Tuesday morning, September 16.

Weather Philippines also warned of strong winds along Northern Aurora, Northeastern and Eastern portions of Quirino, Northern Benguet, Eastern Isabela, Northern and Eastern Cagayan, Northern Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Northwestern part of Abra, and Babuyan-Calayan-Batanes Islands beginning Sunday evening until Monday morning.

The following areas were placed under heavy or yellow rainfall warning by PAGASA late Saturday:

• Metro Manila
• Bulacan
• Pampanga
• Bataan
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Cavite
• Quezon
• Palawan
• Occidental Mindoro
• Western Visayas
• Northern
• Leyte
• Biliran Island
• Samar

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, meanwhile, is under red alert status as of 8 pm Saturday, September 13. – Rappler.com

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