Typhoon Dodong, also known as Typhoon Noul internationally, hit the Cagayan province in the Philippines Sunday, May 10th, and took out power as it traveled through the area. So far, no deaths have been reported, but the lack of power has made communications difficult in the affected areas, according to the Philippines civil defense group.
Residents, Tourists Evacuate Typhoon Noul Areas
Thousands of residents had to leave their homes due to Typhoon Noul as there is the possibility of flooding, storm surge and landslides. More than 1,000 tourists also had to be evacuated from a small island off Taiwan. The storm was reported to have gust up to 220 kilometers or 137 miles an hour, making it very dangerous according to the Philippines marine weather division.
Hundreds of farmers and their families were also evacuated from a hamlet near the Bulusan Volcano because it is feared that the heavy rains could mix with the ash from the volcano and cause deadly, fast moving mud slides to travel down upon the people. There are also reports of more than 5,000 stranded residents all around the area, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
Typhoon Noul Could Cause Storm Surges, Other Issues
According to the Philippines national civil defense, Typhoon Noul could bring on storm surges that could reach two meters or over six feet. Therefore, no chances are being taken and evacuations were ordered in the areas affected, with the government helping people to travel to safety. Storm surges can cause a tsunami wave, which would be extremely dangerous to residents. For example, Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 hit central Philippines and killed more than 7,000, due mostly to high storm surges.
Transportation Services Cancelled in Typhoon Noul Areas
Other areas could be damaged due to possible landslides and flash flooding, so the government has cancelled ferry services and some airline flights. Due to this, tourist areas such as Green Island and Orchid Island have been evacuated and no ferry or other transportation services are being conducted at this time, as people are told to stay away from the coast.
Typhoon Noul is being reported as the strongest storm to hit the area this year and is expected to travel north to Japan after going through the Philippines. Prior to that, officials say that it could also make another landfall in the Batanes area Sunday night. Warnings were also still in effect in some affected regions. The Philippines region of the world is hit every year with around 20 typhoons like Typhoon Noul, with several ending up being very damaging, as reported by the Asian Disaster Reduction Center.
