Prayers were answered, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, February 22, after Negros Occidental was spared from a direct hit by tropical storm “Auring.”
The Philippine Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) today lifted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over central and northern Negros, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard to allow the resumption of sea travel.
The storm spared the province, but five local government units in northern Negros conducted preemptive evacuations Sunday and early today. The evacuees have since returned to their homes.
Zeaphard Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division chief, said four cities and one town evacuated 2,254 residents as a preemptive measure.
Evacuated in Sagay City were 639 residents, San Carlos City – 1,252, Escalante City – 106, Victorias City -19 and Toboso – 238, he said.
PAGASA said “Auring” weakened into a low pressure area at 11 a.m. today and was moving towards the eastern coast of Albay.*