Red Cross activates response, relief teams to assist ‘Julian’-hit communities
TO assist communities affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon Julian, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has activated its response and relief teams.
PRC chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said PRC’s chapters in Northern Luzon are continuously preparing their assets and resources to ensure they are prepared for any emergency during the typhoon.
Since yesterday, RC143 volunteers from the Batanes Chapter have been mobilized to assist households in fortifying their houses against the heavy rains and strong winds, especially those whose homes are made from light materials.
PRC staff members in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte chapters have also conducted inventories of their blood supplies, first aid kits, as well as cleaned and stocked their food truck and ambulances.
Water, search, and rescue (WASAR) teams and emergency medical service (EMS) units have also been prepositioned and are on standby to assist stranded individuals in flooded areas.
As of 9 a.m. on September 30, the PRC’s Operations Center has monitored knee-to waist-level flooding in many parts of Laoag and Batac cities in Ilocos Norte, while light flooding and strong winds have been observed in Batanes.
Two evacuation centers were opened for families whose homes have been flooded in Ilocos Norte.
Some 11 families or 87 individuals reportedly sought preemptive evacuation in four evacuation centers in Cagayan, while 31 families are currently in three evacuation centers in Batanes.
PRC Chapters in Abra and Ilocos Norte provide hot meals to the people staying in some of the evacuation centers.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Julian may develop further into a super typhoon today and is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) tomorrow.
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, PAGASA placed Batanes (and the Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan under the red rainfall warning, with serious flooding and landslides expected in those areas.