In a powerful strike on Thursday afternoon, Typhoon Yinxing brought with it maximum sustained winds reaching up to 144 miles per hour, categorizing it as a destructive Category 4 storm. The storm made landfall in Santa Ana, located on the island of Luzon, impacting one of the most populated areas of the Philippines.
As of Thursday morning, over 160,000 residents had been evacuated in anticipation of the storm's impact, according to the Office of Civil Defense. Many local schools and workplaces faced closures due to safety concerns. Officials have issued warnings that the storm could trigger perilous storm surges of up to 10 feet, posing significant risks to coastal communities.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a "high alert" status ahead of the storm's arrival. He instructed the public works and transportation departments to prepare for extensive road-clearing efforts. Authorities have also cautioned residents about potential flash floods and landslides, encouraging them to evacuate or find safe shelter.
The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, with an estimated 20 storms striking the nation annually. In recent months, the country has been hit hard by severe weather events, including Typhoon Krathon, which caused flash floods in September, and the deadly Tropical Storm Trami that left 80 people dead and forced around half a million to evacuate last month. The ongoing threat posed by Typhoon Yinxing underscores the vulnerability of the Philippines to natural disasters.
As of Thursday morning, over 160,000 residents had been evacuated in anticipation of the storm's impact, according to the Office of Civil Defense. Many local schools and workplaces faced closures due to safety concerns. Officials have issued warnings that the storm could trigger perilous storm surges of up to 10 feet, posing significant risks to coastal communities.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a "high alert" status ahead of the storm's arrival. He instructed the public works and transportation departments to prepare for extensive road-clearing efforts. Authorities have also cautioned residents about potential flash floods and landslides, encouraging them to evacuate or find safe shelter.
The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, with an estimated 20 storms striking the nation annually. In recent months, the country has been hit hard by severe weather events, including Typhoon Krathon, which caused flash floods in September, and the deadly Tropical Storm Trami that left 80 people dead and forced around half a million to evacuate last month. The ongoing threat posed by Typhoon Yinxing underscores the vulnerability of the Philippines to natural disasters.
