Severe Tropical Storm “Jolina” caused the hoisting of Signal No. 1 over some areas in northern Negros Occidental and the cancellation of sea travel from the ports of Sagay and Escalante cities on Tuesday, September 7.
Rains also triggered a landslide and flooding destroyed and damaged homes causing residents to evacuate, Zeaphard Caelian, Disaster Management Program Division head, said.
The cancellation of sea travel from the Sagay Feeder Port, and the Danao and Barcelona ports in Escalante City stranded six vessels along with 104 rolling cargoes and 204 passengers, Capt. Ludovico Librilla, Coast Guard Station Bacolod commander, said.
Signal No. 1 over Escalante, Sagay, Cadiz and Victorias cities, and Manapla and EB Magalona towns was lifted 8 p.m. Tuesday by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The storm that is not directly hitting Negros Occidental, maintained its strength as it continued to move west northwest over the Sibuyan Sea, PAGASA said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson placed Negros Occidental under heightened alert status against possible flooding, flash floods and landslides.
There were 47 individuals from Barangay Robles, La Castellana, who evacuated, while two houses were destroyed and 14 were damaged in the town, Caelian said.
Flooding also caused 27 persons from barangays 5 and Tinongan in Isabela, and 197 residents from barangays Cambarus and San Isidro, Pontevedra to evacuate, he said.
Four trapped families were also rescued in Barangay San Isidro, Pontevedra, Caelian added.
A landslide occurred in Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, while wind also uprooted trees, an electrical post and damaged a house in Hinigaran, he said.*