Typhoon Vongfong made landfall on Samar on Thursday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Typhoon Vongfong was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 124.5°E which put it about 10 miles (15 km) west of Catarman, Philippines.  Vongfong was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Vongfong made landfall on the coast of Samar north of Dolores on Thursday.  Vongfong was the equivalent of a major hurricane at the time of landfall.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  After Typhoon Vongfong made landfall, it moved west-northwest along the northern coast of Samar.  The center of Vongfong passed near Laoang and Catarman.  There have been reports of wind damage in northern Samar.  Typhoon Vongfong also dropped heavy rain in some locations and flash floods may have occurred.

Typhoon Vongfong began to weaken after the center moved over Samar.  The eye was no longer evident on conventional satellite images.  The winds speeds were decreasing slowly.  Winds to typhoon extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Typhoon Vongfong will move around the western end of a high pressure system centered southeast of Japan.  The high will steer Vongfong toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Typhoon Vongfong will move across eastern Luzon.  The center of Vongfong will move near Bulan, Ligao, Naga, Daet, and Labo.  Typhoon Vongfong will also bring wind and rain to Sorsogon, Legaspi and Tabaco.  Heavy rain could flash floods in areas of steep terrain.