Authorities have started forced evacuations of residents in several coastal villages in Santa Ana, Cagayan Friday ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

Thousands of residents in the coastal villages of Palawig, Rapuli, San Vicente, Tangatan and Casambalangan were ordered to leave their homes and seek higher ground before the typhoon hits.

PAGASA earlier warned there may be heavy to intense rain, storm surges in coastal areas, and very strong winds in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region beginning Friday, and in Northern Luzon on Saturday, September 15.

The Philippine Red Cross estimates three million Filipinos live in the direct path of Ompong.

Radio DZMM, September 14, 2018