The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination Council (GDACS), estimated that a total of 14.2 million people are set to be affected by cyclone-strength winds brought by Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) as it made a landfall in the Philippines. At around 3:00 PM (Nov. 7, 2013) the eye of the was located at 571 km Southeast Guiuan Eastern Samar (9.5°N, 130.7°E) with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.
PAGASA 3:00 PM Update (Nov. 7, 2013)
GDACS is a cooperation framework between the United Nations, the European Commission and disaster managers worldwide to improve alerts worldwide. The 14.2 million people may be affected by Category 1 (120 kilometers per hour) wind speeds.
The agency, GDACS gave an advisory issued at 8 a.m. on Thursday (Manila time), stating that Yolanda was already packing 278 kph maximum sustained winds, making the typhoon the strongest in 2013 so far.
According to GDACS they have issued an orange alert for storm surge impact in the Philippines. It said a maximum storm surge height of 2.3 meters (7.54 feet) is expected in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, this height is estimated for 6:00 PM on November 8, 2013.
Based upon the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, Super Typhoon Yolanda, is already a category 5 typhoon. PAGASA forecast that Yolanda will make a landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar between 9 and 10: AM on Friday, November 8, 2013.
PAGASA said Yolanda, after hitting Guiuan, is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, Southern part of Mindoro then Busuanga and will exit the Philippine landm(–foul word(s) removed–) on Saturday morning towards the West Philippine Sea.
