A total of 403 families or 1,283 individuals in La Union have preemptively evacuated as of Sunday as Super Typhoon Uwan continued to threaten many parts of Luzon, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The evacuees came from San Fernando City and the towns of Bauang, Agoo, Santol, Bangar, and Pugo.

As of 2 p.m., the entire province was under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, while coastal areas were under red storm surge warning, with possible surges exceeding three meters.

La Union has been on red alert status since Saturday, with incident command teams on full standby. Search and rescue assets, including ambulances, rescue vehicles, jet skis and rubber boats, have been prepositioned for immediate deployment.

The Provincial Engineering Office has also prepared its clearing teams and heavy equipment for road-clearing operations.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office ensured sufficient family food packs.

Local government units were instructed to keep their Emergency Operations Centers fully operational and strengthen coordination with barangays to keep residents informed and prepared.

Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega urged residents to closely monitor weather bulletins and advised those in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to stay alert. (PNA)