Strong winds batter the Philippines as Tropical Storm Auring approaches

Strong winds batter the Philippines as Tropical Storm Auring approaches

Tropical Storm Auring brought strong wind as it approached the Philippines today (February 20).

Tropical Storm Auring brought strong wind as it approached the Philippines today (February 20).

Footage from a home in Surigao del Sur, next to the sea in Tandag, Surigao del Sur, shows pal trees blowing as severe wind and rain battered the area.

The Philippines state weather bureau said the storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 80 kph.

Meterologists said it was last spotted 440 kilometers East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 pm local time.

Although the storm has weakened, locals said they were experiencing severe winds battering the coastal regions.

Auring is expected to make landfall on Sunday (February 21) and hundreds of families have already been evacuated.