Photo credit: DOST_Pagasa

Typhoon Paolo, locally known as #PaoloPH, has officially intensified and made landfall over Dinapigue, Isabela. The latest bulletin, Number 13, confirms that Paolo is now a serious threat, bringing dangerously strong winds and heavy weather to a large part of Northern Luzon.

The core of the typhoon was last pinpointed near San Guillermo, Isabela at 10:00 AM. Paolo is moving at a swift 25 km/h toward the west-northwest. It packs maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, with powerful gusts that can reach up to 215 km/h. The storm's reach is extensive, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outward up to 350 km from its eye.

Highest Wind Signal Raised

In response to the landfall and rapid intensification, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 has been raised over the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran) and a significant portion of Isabela, including the areas of landfall and major cities like Cauayan and Santiago. The highest warning level is also in effect for areas of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. Residents in these areas should prepare for storm-force winds and a significant to severe threat to life and property within the next 12 hours.

A wider area is under TCWS No. 3, including the rest of Isabela, Quirino, parts of Kalinga and Benguet, and the remaining parts of Ilocos Sur and La Union. These areas will experience strong winds within 18 hours, posing a moderate to significant threat. TCWS No. 2 and TCWS No. 1 cover the rest of Northern and Central Luzon, extending the threat of gale-force and strong winds, respectively, over a broad swath of the country.

Coastal and Sea Threats are Imminent

Beyond the severe winds, the typhoon is creating life-threatening conditions along the coast. A moderate to high risk of storm surge is expected, with peak heights potentially reaching 1.0 to 3.0 m within 24 hours over exposed coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Quezon.

Sea conditions are extremely hazardous. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to 7.0 m off the seaboard of Isabela. All mariners are urgently advised to remain in port or seek immediate shelter, as sea travel is currently too risky for all types of vessels.

Track and Outlook

Paolo is expected to continue moving west-northwest, crossing the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon today before emerging over the West Philippine Sea this afternoon or evening. While some slight weakening is possible over land, forecasters note that re-intensification is highly likely once the typhoon moves back over water. The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow morning, October 4.

Local government and disaster risk reduction offices are urging the public to immediately heed evacuation orders and other safety instructions, especially those living in areas highly susceptible to flooding and storm surge.