Some areas in Catanduanes experience flooding due to storm surge as Pepito continues to threatens the country. Rey Boton, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Several areas in the Bicol region were already flooded on Saturday morning due to storm surge caused by Super Typhoon Pepito even as residents continue to evacuate.

Still reeling from Kristine onslaught, Bicol faces new threat from Pepito

The weather remains calm in Catanduanes but several residents experienced flooding earlier Saturday as a storm surge hit Imelda Boulevard in Virac.

Some fisherfolk brought their boats on land to prevent to keep them away from the waves and flooding.

Catanduanes is currently under Signal No. 3. Pepito is forecast to make landfall Saturday night or by Sunday, according to Pagasa.

Mga residente ng Viga, Catanduanes naghahanda na sa bagyong Pepito

Meanwhile, residents in Barangay Carogcog in Rapu-Rapu, Albay also reported incidents of storm urge.

Victor Dematera Ebrada told ABS-CBN News the waves were high this morning.

Ebrada added some of the residents already went to evacuation centers due to risks of storm surge. Rapu-rapu and the whole eastern portion of Albay is also under Signal No. 3.

Preemptive evacuation

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol said their initial count of residents who underwent preemptive evacuation in the region are 177,189 individuals.

Most came from Albay, with 80,804 people; Sorsogon has 54,809 while Camarines Sur has 20,648. In Catanduanes, 11,002 already evacuated; 6,035 in Masbate and 3,891 in Camarines Norte.

The eastern portion of Camarines Sur and the easternmost portion of Sorsogon are also under Signal no. 3.