Hello Stormy Monday!

Traffic was horrendous today. Not very surprising for a Monday morning, but it was quite surprising for a stormy morning when school on some levels have been suspended.

Classes are suspended because we are bracing ourselves as super typhoon “Juan” (international name “Megi”), with winds up to more than 250 kilometers per hour makes landfall today, October 18, 2010.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela under public storm signal no. 4.

PAGASA said the wind strength of Juan could uproot trees, blow away houses made of light material, trigger landslides, and cause storm surges in coastal areas.

PAGASA has placed Batanes, including the Calayan and Babuyan groups of islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino and northern Aurora under Signal No. 3.

The provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and the rest of Aurora was placed under Signal No. 2.

Pagasa has placed the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Polillo Island under Signal No. 1.

Metro Manila, on the other hand, is not expected to be affected by the typhoon but disaster and rescue authorities are not taking any chances.

Residents from flood-prone areas like Marikina and Cainta have learned our lessons when Typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc last September 2009, wherein thousands of families lost homes and properties and hundreds lost their lives. Local government from these areas swears that they now have competent contingency measures (both high tech and low tech) in place just in case we are also affected by typhoon Juan.

Here’s to hoping typhoon Juan changes his mind and his course, and leave the Philippine area of responsibility with the least damage and inconvenience possible.