MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has activated its response and relief teams to assist communities affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Julian (internationally known as “Krathon”).

Upon the directive of PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, PRC’s chapters in Northern Luzon are continuously preparing their assets and resources to ensure they are prepared for any emergency during the typhoon.

Since yesterday, September 29, RC143 volunteers from the Batanes Chapter have been mobilized to assist households in fortifying their houses against the heavy rains and strong winds, especially those whose homes are made from light materials. PRC staff in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte chapters have also conducted inventories of their blood supplies, first aid kits, as well as cleaned and stocked their food truck and ambulances.

Water, search, and rescue (WASAR) teams and emergency medical service (EMS) units have also been prepositioned and are on standby to assist stranded individuals in flooded areas.

As of 9 a.m. on September 30, the PRC’s Operations Center has monitored knee- to waist-level flooding in many parts of Laoag and Batac cities in Ilocos Norte, while light flooding and strong winds have been observed in Batanes.

Two evacuation centers were opened for families whose homes have been flooded in Ilocos Norte. 11 families or 87 individuals reportedly sought preemptive evacuation in four evacuation centers in Cagayan, while 31 families are currently in three evacuation centers in Batanes.

Today, PRC Chapters in Abra and Ilocos Norte will validate its record of evacuees, and provide hot meals to the people staying in some of the evacuation centers. The Batanes Chapter also plans to distribute information and educational materials in its evacuation centers.

All Chapters in the North are continuously monitoring their areas of responsibility and coordinating with their respective local governments for potential rescue and relief efforts.

“We are keeping a watchful eye on the developments of Typhoon Julian in the northern areas of Luzon. Rest assured, our local chapters are equipped with the necessary resources and manpower to efficiently assist during and after typhoons. Tuloy-tuloy man ang pagpasok ng mga bagyo sa ating bansa, tuloy-tuloy rin ang operasyon ng Red Cross,” said Gordon.

“You can rely on the Red Cross to be on the ground, ensuring that people are safe, have access to food and clean water, and are able to return to their homes to rebuild their lives,” remarked PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Julian may develop further into a super typhoon by tomorrow, October 1, and is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday, October 2.

As of 11 a.m., Batanes (and the Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan were placed under the red rainfall warning of PAGASA, with serious flooding and landslides expected in those areas.