NAGA CITY—Supertyphoon “Uwan” (internationally known as Fung-wong) pounded the Bicol region with torrential rains and violent winds that brought massive flooding in many areas as it moved toward Aurora early afternoon of Sunday.

In Catanduanes, floodwaters swept parts of Virac, the capital town, including Barangay Gogon Centro, VTC (Virac Town Center) near the public market, Danicop and Moonwalk Subdivision, according to early reports reaching CoverStory.

The flood was waist-deep across from VTC, a commercial development built on land reclaimed from a river.

In Camarines Sur early Sunday, residents began feeling the strong winds and heavy rains. At 8 a.m., Uwan had peak sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 230 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

At 2 p.m., the weather bureau Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5, its highest level, over Catanduanes, the northern parts of Camarines Norte (Daet, Talisay, Paracale, Vinzons, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes, Basud), the eastern parts of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Tinambac and Lagonoy), and Polillo Islands in Quezon.

Signal No. 4 was raised in Albay and the remaining areas of Camarines Sur.

Susan Sanchez, a retired Philippine Postal Corp. employee and a resident of Conception Street in Virac, said power supply was interrupted at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday as winds brought by Uwan gathered strength.

Flooding was reported in many parts of Naga City after the Naga River overflowed. It was expected to worsen later in the night at high tide, when the water level could rise by as much as 2.4 meters (7.87 feet), according to Raynor Rodriguez, the head of the City Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Kaila Pauline, 22, of San Felipe in Naga, said flooding had already swamped her family’s house, prompting them to move their belongings to the second floor. “I’m afraid the water might reach the second floor because it’s rising quickly,” she said.

In a Facebook post, Mayor Nelson Bueza of Garchitorena town reported that seawater had entered residential areas in several barangays, causing water levels to rise and alarming residents.

The hanging bridge over the Camaligan River, which serves as the main passageway for residents, shook violently in the strong winds.

A BPO company in Naga has booked accommodations at a hotel along Magsaysay Avenue to prepare for Uwan and ensure continued business operations. —WITH A REPORT FROM JUAN V. SARMIENTO JR.