[Vision2020] Typhoon Mirinae Threatens Flood Devastated Philipines

[Ted Moffett]

The Philippines breathed a sigh of relief recently when Typhoon Lupit, that
would have been the third devastating storm to hit the northern Philippines
in a months time, at the last hour veered to the north, and did not make a
direct landfall, though still had an impact.  But their luck has run out as
Typhoon Mirinae does not appear likely to alter its course for a direct
landfall on the storm battered northern Philippines:

Info on Typhoon Mirinae's path from Naval Oceanography Portal (lots of fun
educational stuff!), Joint Typhoon Warning Center:

http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/wp2309.gif
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Philippines warns of floods, landslides as Typhoon Mirinae nears

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/292331,philippines-warns-of-floods-landslides-as-typhoon-mirinae-nears.html

Manila - Philippine authorities Thursday warned of floods and landslides as
a new typhoon barrelled towards the country's northern region, where nearly
1,000 people died in two previous cyclones. Typhoon Mirinae was packing
maximum winds of 150 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 185 kph as
it moved westward at 20 kph, the weather bureau said.

It is forecast to hit land on Friday evening, it added.

The bureau raised storm warnings in more than a dozen provinces in the
northern region of Luzon, which was expected to bear the brunt of Mirinae.

"Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take
all the necessary precautionary measures against flashfloods and
landslides," the bureau said its bulletin.

"Those living along the coast are advised to be on alert against storm
surges and big waves generated by the typhoon," it added.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres, spokesman for the National Disaster
Coordinating Council, said authorities were identifying hazard areas where
residents needed to be moved out.

"The focus of the preparation is to review the hazard areas, identify
evacuation centres because it's easier to evacuate people than rescue them
when the typhoon comes," he said.

Mirinae would strike as millions of Filipinos prepared to visit cemeteries
on All Saint's Day on November 1, the traditional day for honouring the
dead.

Defence Secretary Eduardo Ermita Wednesday urged Filipinos to skip the
annual trip to the cemeteries amid Mirinae's threat.

"Let us avoid visiting our relatives at the cemeteries," he said.

The weather bureau said Mirinae was expected to hit Manila, which was struck
by the worst flood in over 40 years caused by storm Ketsana on September 26.
The deluge killed 464 people.

One week later, Typhoon Parma struck the northern Philippines, triggering
massive landslides and more flooding that killed 465 people.
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Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett
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