All Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils in Western Visayas were placed on standby protocol Monday, August 22, as the region was identified as a very low risk area for the effects of Tropical Storm “Florita”, Regional Director Jose Roberto Nuñez of the Office of Civil Defense said.
This response protocol was activated to ensure that preparedness measures are in place despite the classification of the region as a low risk area, he said.
“Florita” continues to maintain its strength while moving slowly westward over the Philippine sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported at 8 p.m. Monday.
The center of “Florita” was estimated at 145 km East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.2°N, 123.5°E), with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa, PAGASA said.*