Storm Ruby’s (International name: Hagupit) projected position by 8 a.m. of December 5, 2014. The storm enters Philippine Area of Responsibility today and is forecast to hit land, somewhere in Eastern Visayas on December 6, 2014. (https://earth.nullschool.net/)
IF the path of Typhoon Ruby doesn’t change, pre-emptive evacuations will be made for residents along coastline barangays in Cebu City by Friday, said Councilor Dave Tumulak.
Tumulak said he would also recommend to Mayor Michael Rama to suspend classes on Friday so that parents can prepare for the storm and not worry about their children in school.
He said disaster officials were monitoring the high tide during the weekend.
On Saturday, when Ruby is expected to make landfall in Eastern Visyas, the highest tide will reach 1.77 meters at 10:14 pm.
On Sunday, high tide will reach 1.81 meters by 11:16 pm and on Monday, high tide will be up to 1.80 meters by 11:50 pm.
Cebu City has pre-positioned heavy equipment, rescue gear and personnel to prepare for the storm.
The City Council yesterday declared the city under a state of preparedness, a move that allows it to tap calamity funds of about to prepare for the storm.
About P90 million still remains of the fund for this purpose, said Tumulak.
“Based on our meeting with the Office of the Civil Defense, there is a high probability that the typhoon will make landfall in the Philippines. It will affect Eastern Visayas and may pass through Cebu as well,” said Tumulak.
The council resolution said Cebu City “should use all logistics to minimize or have zero casualties.”
Evacaution sites designated for coastline barangays are:
Gothong High School for residents from barangays Ermita, Suba and Pasil. The San Nicolas Elementary School and the Cebu City Sports Institute will also be used for residents from Suba and Sawang Calero and Duljo-Fatima.
Residents from barangay Mamabaling will use their barangay sports complex.
Those from barangay Basak San Nicolas will be using the Basak Community School and the Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary and High Schools.
The Basak Pardo gym can also be used by Basak Pardo residents. Those from barangay Cogon Pardo will be using the Pardo elementary school and the Inayawan elementary school for those from barangay Inayawan.
The police chief was directed to field policemen to safeguard all ATMs in the city since they’re expecting many to be withdrawing money for the weekend.
A bloodletting activity will be held at the Social Hall in City Hall to stock up on blood supply for emergencies.
Cebu City’s Command Control Center can be reached through these emergency numbers:
166
262-1424
0923-524-8222
0932-537-7770
0947-178-0000
0947-178-9999