Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 23) – Some 41 families in two barangays in Marikina City were preemptively evacuated after Alert Level 1 was raised at the Marikina River Tuesday afternoon due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita, Mayor Marcy Teodoro said.
“We have around 41 families who preemptively evacuated but I will emphasize the fact that there are still no reported flooded areas in Marikina,” Teodoro told CNN Philippines.
The city is monitoring the river’s water level, which rose to 15.5 meters at around 9 p.m., the mayor said. Alert level 1 was raised when it reached 15 meters at around 5 p.m.
The families evacuated are from barangays Nangka and Concepcion Uno.
Teodoro said those residing in all low-lying areas will be evacuated if the water level reaches 16 meters, while forced evacuation will be implemented if it breaches 18 meters.
He added that 40 evacuation centers are ready to accommodate residents who may be displaced if the water level continues to go up.
Half of the evacuation centers are schools. Teodoro said the facilities were available as classes are suspended until Aug. 24.
Metro Manila is currently not under any storm signal warning. But the state weather bureau warned of “wind gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength within the next 24 hours.”
