Paolo slams Luzon, weakens into tropical storm

Residents fled their homes as widespread flooding hit several towns, rendering roads impassable, while flights were canceled and classes suspended as tropical cyclone Paolo roared northward across Luzon yesterday.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

Paolo weakened into a severe tropical storm yesterday afternoon after making landfall in Ilocos Sur, but authorities warned it will continue to bring strong winds, heavy rains and dangerous coastal conditions as it moves over the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Paolo's center was located over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur at 4 p.m.

It packed maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 165 kph while moving west-northwest at 35 kph, with strong to storm-force winds extending up to 480 kilometers from the center.

As of 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 remained hoisted over parts of Northern and Central Luzon, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet and portions of Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao. PAGASA warned of "moderate to significant" threats to life and property in these areas.

Signal No. 2 was raised over parts of Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces, while Signal No.1 was up in Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Aurora, Tarlac and northern Quezon, including the Polillo Islands.