Signal number 2 up in Zambales

PAGASA hoisted public storm warning signal number 2 in Zambales. The weather bureau spotted the storm as of 11 p.m. Wednesday at 370 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, and packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph warning residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under signals 1 to 3 to take all necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Typhoon Ramil, according to Pagasa, is more powerful than Typhoon Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana), which unleashed heavy downpour and the worst flooding in 40 years around Manila on September 26, killing 420 people, and the subsequent Typhoon Pepeng (international codename: Parma), which left 438 dead.

Below however is the forecast given by an international organization which this writer (by experience finds reliable)... for our info and comparison:

Weather Summary for Olongapo-Subic: Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon, Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu morning), Wind will be generally light

http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/SubicBay/forecasts/latest

Above table expects only a maximum wind of 15kph for Olongapo-Subic, way below the general wind forecast released by Pagasa at 210kph. The precipitation from above forecast is 1mm, meaning only some drizzle will be experienced in our area, also way below the possible flashfloods and landslides issued by Pagasa. From above forecast, there should not be any storm or flooding alert in Olongapo-Subic areas. Giving "overkill" forecast can lead to some negative effects such as classes getting suspended resulting in loss of valuable productive time.