Cablegate: Embassy Manila Prepared for Typhoon Mitag

VZCZCXRO3663
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHML #3758 3270904
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230904Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8966
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 003758

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-CMR, EAP/EX, OBO/OM/AM/EAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC KSAF MMED RP
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MANILA PREPARED FOR TYPHOON MITAG

REF: Manila 2957

1. Embassy Manila remains well-prepared and coordinated with local
authorities to respond to Typhoon Mitag. Typhoon MITAG pronounced
as: "me-tok" has dramatically slowed down while heading on a
temporary WSW drift but still endangers the Bicol Region.
Communities along the Eastern Provinces of Central Philippines from
Aurora, Polillo, Quezon, Bicol down to Samar are braced for 90 mile
per hour winds. Thousands of people have been evacuated. The
Government of the Philippines is taking extended precautions.
2. Forecasters expect the small island of Catanduanes in Bicol, 500
kilometers from Manila, to be hit first. Typhoon Mitag is not on
course at present to directly hit Manila, but at a minimum, Post is
prepared for heavy winds and rain beginning Saturday night. USG
facilities in Baguio, in northwest Luzon, are potentially in the
path and will be hit by heavy winds Sunday.
3. Philippine national and local authorities are responding and
have thus far not indicated a need for U.S. assistance. USAID/OFDA
provided assistance to the same region of the Philippines following
damaging typhoons a year ago. As outlined in reftel, Mission
offices are on stand-by to respond and assist to typhoon
conditions.

KENNEY

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