Situation Overview

The Severe Tropical Storm (STS) locally name “Odette” that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Tuesday evening is now officially a typhoon as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as of 11:00 am today. The country’s 15th cyclone, TY “Odette” maintained its strength as it continued to move towards the Southern Leyte area. From 110 km/h, TY Odette’s maximum sustained winds increased to 120km/h while its gustiness is now up to 150 km/h from 135 km/h.

#OdettePH Track

On Sunday morning, December 12, a tropical storm was observed in southeastern Palau and soon developed into a tropical depression. It then eventually strengthened into a tropical storm at 2:00 pm, Monday, December 13. The tropical storm had maximum winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. The tropical storm in the east of Mindanao continued to strengthen and finally entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at around 7:00 on Wednesday evening. Following the entry of TS Odette”, Signal No. 1 was immediately raised over some parts of the Visayas Region; Southern part of Eastern Samar, Dinagat Island, Eastern part of Surigao del Norte, and Northern part of Surigao del Sur.

As of 10 p.m., the eye of the storm was located 890 kilometers east of Mindanao, moving west-northwest at 15 kph with a maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center with a gustiness of up to 125 kph. TS Odette slightly intensified and developed into a Severe Tropical Storm (STS) early morning today. Just only a few hours ago, TS Odette rapidly turned into a typhoon.

After becoming a typhoon, the weather bureau placed a total of 52 areas under Storm Signal according to their weather bulletin released at 11:00 am today.

Tropical Wind Signal No. 2 is raised over the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte (Claver,Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands) and Surigao del Sur.

While Tropical Wind Signal No. 2 is raised over the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao Island, the southern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, San Fernando, Magdiwang, Alcantara, Looc, Santa Fe, San Jose), Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, the rest of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, the northern portion of Bukidnon (Malitbog, Impasug-Ong, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon), Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, the northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Plaridel, Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga), the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Dapitan City, Sibutad, Rizal, La Libertad, Dipolog City).

Source: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Inquirer.
Affected Populations

The preparations of the authorities and residents who may be affected by typhoon Odette are in full swing. Many residents of the provinces within the path of TY Odette have begun to evacuate particularly in the town of Roxas City in Capiz, wherein an initial 132 families in Brgy. Domolog, Brgy. Culasi and Brgy. Culajao in Roxas City in Capiz is staying in evacuation centers after a pre-emptive evacuation was conducted.

Leyte Center for Development (LCDE) one of CDRC’s regional center-based is in Eastern Visayas have also activated their Emergency Response Team and have established contacts in Southern Leyte, which is also along the path of TY Odette.

Meanwhile, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 10,000 barangays in Visayas and Mindanao and some areas in Southern Luzon are probably to be affected once “Odette” landfalls and are potentially exposed MODERATE to SEVERE damaging winds brought by TY Odette.

Due to the storm’s possible strong effect, several sea trips have been canceled in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga to ensure that no one would be caught at sea by the storm and avoid stranding at the ports.

Source: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Leyte Center for Development (LCDE)
Emergency Response Efforts

1. CDRC is closely monitoring Typhoon “ODETTE” since it was spotted by PAGASA and also monitoring the situation in the affected areas and constantly updating situation reports.
2. CDRC is also closely coordinating with its regional centers in affected areas to collect information on the situation and needs of the ground.
3. As of 3:00 pm today, CDRC established the activation of the Emergency Response Team for TY Odette as well as the affected regions of its partners. (PCDR, LCDE, CPRS and DIRECT) Some residents in Surigao began to evacuate before typhoon Odette hit the province.

Resources Available
Standby emergency funds
1. Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
2. Monetary and in-kind donations
Expressed Needs
Initial Assessments have indicated immediate needs include;
• Food supplies
• Clean water
• Hygiene kits
• Facemasks
• Primary medicines
• Sleeping materials
Coordination
Regional Center
Leyte Center for Development, Inc
Panay Center for Disaster Response Center
Center for People’s Resource and Service
Disaster Response Response Center
Contacts
1. Hanna Fiel, Deputy Executive Director, 0945-8355589, hanna.fiel.cdrc2019@gmail.com
2. Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0928-182-4969, lpd@cdrc-phil.com