Some 3,400 families in Cagayan were evacuated because of Super Typhoon Nando that made landfall in the province on Monday, the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has said.
According to Nico Waje's report in "24 Oras," heavy rain and strong winds battered Cagayan. Among the affected areas is the municipality of Santa Ana, where Nando caused trees to fall, wires to hang, and roofs to run down.
A boat dock in the town was also not spared, as boats are now crowded together.
Some residents living near the shore are temporarily seeking shelter in a gymnasium.
"Lumikas lang kami kaninang hapon...Malakas na kagabi kaya lumikas kami," a resident said.
(We just evacuated this afternoon...The rains have already been heavy since yesterday, that's why we decided to evacuate.)
The super typhoon got stronger on Monday morning, as several objects can be seen flying down the street due to the impact of the wind.
Local responders from the municipality rescued stranded passengers who were on their way to work.
"Nung nasa Tuguegarao kami, hindi pa ganito. Pero naabutan na kami sa Apari to Sta. Ana," a passenger said.
(When we were still at Tuguegarao, the weather was not like this. But we were caught up while in Apari to Sta. Ana.)
The municipality also rescued a group of women living beside the sea and working in a casino.
"Malapit kasi sa dagat, possible baka mag-storm surge...Hindi sila safe dito," Sta. Ana MDRRMO operations and warning section chief Butch Recolizado.
(They are near the sea, and it's possible to have storm surge...So they're not safe here.)
Ilocos Norte
Meanwhile, the emergency response teams in Ilocos Norte remain under red alert status following a red rainfall warning in the province, according to the report of GMA Regional TV's Sendee Salvacio.
In Laoag City, the waves at Sabangan Beach almost peaked at two meters due to the weather conditions. The storm surge warning issued in the morning pushed fishermen to save their rafts.
The strong winds damaged the rice fields in Bacarra, while trees have fallen in Vintar.
As of 8 a.m., more than 100 individuals from Pagudpud, Bacarra, and San Nicolas have been evacuated, the report said. -Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News