Latest Updates of Typhoon Ambo (May 17, 2020), Typhoon Ambo smashed homes, schools and virus quarantine sites when it hit central Samar island on Thursday, but then weakened into a severe tropical storm on its path north to the capital Manila. 

Typhoon Ambo further weakens and is now almost stationary, according to PAGASA weather updates. At 1:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “AMBO” was estimated based on all available data at 105 km West Northwest of Calayan, Cagayan (19.5°N, 120.5°E). 

The strength of Typhoon Ambo has maximum winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. The storm struck as tens of millions of Filipinos are hunkered down at home to protect themselves against COVID-19, but more than 140,000 had to flee in central Bicol region because of the powerful storm, disaster officials said. 

However, many spaces normally used as storm shelters have been converted into quarantine sites for people suspected of being infected with coronavirus. 

Ben Evardone, governor of the central province Eastern Samar, said local quarantine sites, schools and at least one church was levelled by the fierce wind. 

“So, what will happen to us now, what will we use as COVID facilities here?” he asked. “This is a big challenge for us.” 

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