Philippines: Typhoon Utor (Labuyo) smashes into northern Luzon
Typhoon Labuyo, International name Utor made landfall into the northern provinces of the Philippines around 3 am, Monday morning (local time).
According to a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather update this morning, at 4:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon Labuyo was located west of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 165 kph, gusting up to 200 kph.
The typhoon was moving west northwest across northern Luzon at a speed of 22 kph.
As of 7 am, the center of Typhoon Labayo was in the vicinity of Nueva Viscaya.
Utor was upgraded to a super typhoon Sunday night local time when a distinctive eye developed on satellite imagery, according to AccuWeather.com meteorologists.
In addition, at least 15 areas were under Storm Signal No. 3 Monday morning, PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. advisory.
The Philippine weather service advises that heavy rainfalls may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
The Associated Press reports some 1,000 residents in the central Bicol region spent the night in shelters while Aurora province was without power.
There was no immediate word on casualties, but 23 fishermen who were out at sea failed to return home in four towns in Catanduanes province, according to their families.
In addition, Utor, described as the strongest typhoon globally so far this year, has left stranded some 8,000 travelers as passenger ferries were grounded.
On Facebook earlier, actress Anne Curtis posted that she was one of the ones stranded–“Good Morning everyone! I’m officially stranded in Tuguegarao due to the Typhoon! Sorry won’t be able to make it to Showtime today!I will also give updates on when the fans day will push through. It is Signal no 3 here daw so safety first! I hope you all understand!”
It is expected by Tuesday morning to be out of the Philippines Are of Responsibility.
Typhoon Utor (Labuyo) projected path
Image/PAGASA
[…] Philippines: Typhoon Utor (Labuyo) smashes into n…The Global DispatchAccording to a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather update this morning, at 4:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon Labuyo was located west of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of … […]