A strong typhoon will enter the country before noon today, packing maximum winds of 215 kilomters per hour and gusts up to 250 kph.
A gale warning for strong winds may be issued, said Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, acting chief of Pagasa Mactan.
Quiblat said the typhoon (international name Soudelor) will not make landfall in the country but in Northern Taiwan if it maintains its direction and speed.
It will be called typhoon Hanna once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The weather bureau said heavy rains will be expected starting tomorrow morning until Friday.
The storm is expected to exit early Saturday morning.
While the typhoon is not expected to hit Cebu directly, the public was advised to watch out for heavy rains that may cause flooding and landslides
Typhoon Hanna will be the eighth typhoon to hit the country.
“We are continuously monitoring. Yes, the typhoon is far but we should not be complacent. We should be ready,” said information officer Julius Regner of the provincial disaster office.
He said they are focusing on Talisay City and Alegria town in southern Cebu, among others, as these are prone to landslide and flooding.
In Mandaue City, Felix Suico Jr., the city disaster officer, said he told barangay captains to activate their barangay disaster brigades to prepare for the typhoon.
Mandaue has nine flood-prone areas — Subangdaku, Tipolo, Banilad, Guizo, Looc, Umapad, Maguikay, Cabancalan and Paknaan.