Typhoon Julian is nearing super typhoon strength and may lead to the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 in extreme Northern Luzon, weather bureau PAGASA said Monday.

Packing 175 kph winds and gusts of up to 215 kph, Julian was located over the coastal waters of Balintang Island in Calayan, Cagayan as of 7 a.m. and is moving west northwestward at 10 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 4 remains in effect over Batanes and the northern portion of Babuyan Islands, indicating “significant to severe threat to life and property.”

“The peak of devastating typhoon-force winds will be felt over areas under Wind Signal No. 4 between this morning and afternoon. Furthermore, the possibility of hoisting Wind Signal No. 5 is not ruled out,” PAGASA warned. 

According to PAGASA, Signal No. 5 is hoisted when the wind threat reaches 185 kph or higher, leading to “severe to catastrophic damage…to houses of poor or average construction, makeshift or old, dilapidated structures, and other structures made of light materials. Well-constructed houses may suffer substantial roof and wall failure or damage.”

Signal no. 3, indicating storm-force winds, is in effect over the rest of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, Santa Ana.

Signal No. 2 is in effect over the following areas:

• The rest of mainland Cagayan, 

•  Apayao, 

•  northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, San Juan, Lagayan, Lagangilang, Dolores, Daguioman, Danglas, La Paz), 

•  northern portion Kalinga (Pinukpuk, Balbalan, City of Tabuk, Rizal), Ilocos Norte, and 

•  the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao)

Signal No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

•  The rest of Ilocos Sur, 

•  La Union, 

•  Pangasinan, 

•  the rest of Abra, 

•  the rest of Kalinga, 

•  Ifugao, 

•  Mountain Province, 

•  Benguet, 

•  Isabela, 

•  Nueva Vizcaya, 

•  Quirino, 

•  Aurora, 

•  the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija (Cuyapo, Rizal, Laur, Pantabangan, Science City of Muñoz, Gabaldon, Carranglan, San Jose City, Lupao, Talugtug, Bongabon, Llanera, Talavera, Palayan City, General Mamerto Natividad), and 

•  Polillo Islands 

The eyewall of Julian will continue to graze Batanes and Babuyan Islands Monday afternoon, with a landfall over these areas remaining possible.

Julian may reach super typhoon intensity at the onset of its recurvature early Tuesday or even earlier. 

Wind flow coming towards the circulation of Julian may also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):

September 30

•  Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Romblon, and Bicol Region

October 1

•  Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes

SITUATION IN BATANES   

As early as Saturday, the Batanes provincial government advised residents to dock their small boats in shelters or on dry land. 

Ivatans, the residents of Batanes, were also instructed to board up their windows and secure their roofs to prepare for the storm. This is a standard practice whenever a strong typhoon approaches the island.

Following the directive of Governor Marilou Cayco and the recommendation of the provincial disaster council, all classes in public and private schools and government office work were suspended from September 30, Monday to October 1, Tuesday. 

On Monday morning, Ivatans awoke to howling winds as Julian approached the province. As of 10 a.m., PAGASA reported that the large eye of Julian was in the vicinity of Sabtang and Batan islands.