AccuWeather.com reports a powerful typhoon in the western Pacific Ocean, named Parma, is bearing down on the Philippines. Winds were sustained at 140 mph Thursday, after briefly surging to 150 mph or super typhoon status earlier in the day. Parma could again gain intensity into Friday. Sustained winds could reach an incredible 160 mph.
Parma is taking aim on Luzon, the large northern island province.
Just days ago, Tropical Storm Ketsana brought massive flooding to Manila, the Philippine capital, following close to 20 inches of rain in some areas.
Parma threatens to bring extremely strong winds and flooding rain. Residents are already evacuating the east coast of Luzon.
Fortunately the east coast of Luzon is not heavily populated. Even though destructive winds may only affect a small part of the Philippines, flooding rain will encompass a much larger area. Hence a threat to many lives.
Parma is expected to slow down upon reaching the northeastern part of Luzon Saturday, local time. As a result, heavy rainfall from Parma could continue most of the weekend.
There is a chance that Typhoon Parma will curve north, keeping the center offshore. Regardless, due to the typhoon's large size, it would still be close enough to bring flooding rain to Luzon this weekend.
