Odette Is Likely to Bring Destructive Winds. Here's the Projected Path of the Typhoon

Severe tropical storm Rai, which will take the local name Odette when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday, is expected to bring "destructive" winds when it hits land, PAGASA said, as it advised those on the cyclone's path to prepare.

Below is the projected path of the typhoon over the Philippines. 

Photo by pagasa.

Wind Signal no. 1 could be raised as early as Tuesday night, when Odette crosses into PAR, said PAGASA forecaster Grace Castaneda. This means areas under Signal no. 1 could experience 30 to 60 kph winds.

Odette will rapidly intensify into a typhoon by late Thursday, just before landfall in the Eastern Visayas and Caraga area, Castaneda said. PAGASA could raise Wind Signal no. 3, which means winds of 121 to 170 kph.

"Ang paalala natin ay maging maingat at alerto at maging handa po tayo dahil magiging mapaminsala ang dala nitong hangin at pag-ulan diyan po sa area na 'yan," she said.

At 3 p.m., the storm was located 1,000 km east of Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph with gusts of 125 kph, moving west northwest at 25 kph.

After crossing the Visayas from landfall late Thursday, Odette was forecast to be over Palawan on Friday evening and out to the West Philippine Sea the next day.

What to expect, how to prepare

SIGNAL NO. 1

WINDS: 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: 1.25-4.0 meters

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:

• Very light or no damage to high risk structures,
• Light to medium and low risk structures
• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities.

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:

• Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged
• Twigs of small trees may be broken.
• Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

SIGNAL NO. 2

WINDS: 61-120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height:4.1-14.0 m
Storm surge possible at coastal areas.

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:

• Light to Moderate damage to high risk structures;
• Very light to light damage to medium-risk structures;
• No damage to very light damage to low risk structures
  
• Unshielded, old dilapidated schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and other structures of light materials are partially damaged or unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs may be peeled or blown off.
• Some wooden, old electric posts are tilted or downed.
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs/billboards

SIGNAL NO. 3

WINDS: 121-170 kph may be expected in at least 18 hr
SEA CONDITIONS (Open Sea)
Wave Height: > 14.0 meters
Storm surge possible in coastal areas.

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:

• Heavy damage to high–risk structures;Moderate damage to medium-risk structures;
• Light damage to low-risk structures
• Increasing damage to old, dilapidated residential structures and houses of light materials (up to 50% in a community)
• Houses of medium strength materials (old, timber or mixed timber-CHB structures, usually with G.I. roofings), some warehouses or bodega-type structures are unroofed

DAMAGE TO VEGETATION:

• Almost all banana plants are downed, some big trees (acacia, mango, etc.) are broken or uprooted,
• Dwarf-type or hybrid coconut trees are tilted or downed
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with heavy foliage blown off; some large trees blown down.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 1:

1. Listen to your radio for more information about weather disturbance.
2. Check the ability of the house to withstand strong winds and strengthen it if necessary.
3. Monitor the latest severe weather Bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. Business may be carried out as usual except when flooding occurs.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 2: 

1. Special attention should be given to the latest position, direction, and speed movement of the cyclone as it may intensify and move towards the locality.
2. The general public, especially people traveling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks.
3. Protect properties before signals are upgraded.
4. Board up windows or put storm shutters in place and securely fasten it.
5. Stay at home.

What to do during Public Storm Signal No. 3:

1. Keep your radio on and listen to the latest news about the typhoon.
2. Everyone is advised to stay in safe and strong houses.
3. Evacuate from low-lying areas to higher grounds.
4. Stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
5. Watch out for the passage of the "eye" or center of the typhoon.

This story originally appeared on Reportr.World. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.