Albay braces for 'Pedring'

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has ordered the preemptive evacuation of 19,781 families or 102,747 people as tropical storm “Pedring” was spotted off Virac, Catan­duanes yesterday morning.

The weather bureau has placed Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Sur under public storm warning signal number 1.

Salceda also suspended classes in all levels starting today, and told fishermen not to venture out to sea, to ensure zero casualties.

Salceda also ordered the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade and the Naval Forces for Southern Luzon to preposition M-35 trucks in the towns of Oas, Polangui, Libon and Malinao for emergencies.

“We are preparing for flash floods as Pedring is forecast to dump phenomenal rains,” he said. “This is a big typhoon like the size of typhoon ‘Bebeng.’”