Preparations

Due to the threat of the storm, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the island of Yap and Ngulu Atoll
on April 14,[53] where in the former, winds exceeded 30 mph (48 km/h).[54] This was later modified
into a Tropical Storm Warning for Ngulu Atoll later that day.[55]

As Surigae entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the PAGASA began issuing weather bulletins for
the nearby storm. Initial forecasts by the agency suggested that the storm was less likely to make
landfall over Luzon, and expected the storm to re-curve away from the Philippines.[25][56][57][58] On
April 16, the Department of Transportation in the Philippines suspended all air and land travel to and
from Visayas and Mindanao, requested by the Office of Civil Defense, as Surigae approached.[59] Wave
heights as high as 4.5 m (15 ft) were forecast near the eastern coasts of Visayas and Mindanao.[60] In
order to avoid agricultural losses, Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture encouraged
farmers in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions to harvest their crops and for fishermen to "refrain from
fishing as conditions may worsen".[58][61] At 15:00 UTC (23:00 PHT), the PAGASA began issuing Tropical
Cyclone Wind Signal #1 for areas in Eastern Visayas and the Caraga Region and in parts of Luzon six
hours later.[62][63]

On April 17, Signal #2 was raised for Catanduanes and the entire island of Samar.[64] Flood advisories
were also issued by the PAGASA for three regions in Visayas and Mindanao.[65] In preparation for the
intense rains, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered telecommunications companies to
prepare facilities in forecasted affected areas, including free calling and charging stations.[66] In the
ensuing travel suspension, 2,507 individuals and 61 sea vessels were stranded in ports throughout the
country.[67][68][69] As early as April 17, preemptive evacuation began in the Bicol Region and the
Samar province,[70] and by April 21, 169,072 people were evacuated in the Cagayan Valley, Bicol
Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga. Flights in Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport were cancelled on April 18,
and other domestic flights were also cancelled on the same day.[68] All flights in Tacloban Airports were
also cancelled on April 18. In addition, 10 domestic flights elsewhere were also cancelled that day.[67]
Schools and work activities were suspended in the Bicol Region till April 20.[71] ₱1.5 billion (US$31.05
million) worth of standby funds were prepared for disaster response.[72]

Impact

Micronesia and Palau

Locally heavy rainfall occurred in parts of Palau and Yap for several days.[73] Surigae brought sustained
winds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and gusts up to 135 km/h (84 mph) to Palau, causing power outages
across the island.[74][75][76] Large swells from the developing storm brought coastal flooding to Koror
and Yap. Residents in those areas were advised to avoid reef lines in the north and west, and to take
caution on beaches due to rip currents and large waves.[77] Surigae was the closest typhoon to pass
near the island of Palau since Typhoon Haiyan.[78] Restaurants, sporting events and other services were
closed in Palau as Surigae approached closer– yet schools remained open.[78] Schools were not
suspended until power had been cut off across much of the entire country.[78] Water and cellular
services were also downed.[78] There was criticism for the lack of news coverage on the typhoon in
Palau most notably.[78] 125 homes across the country were destroyed, while at least 1,500 sustained
minor damage.[76] The entire population of Palau, consisting of approximately 18,008 people, was
impacted by the typhoon.[76] At least US$2 million worth of infrastructure alone was damaged in Palau.
[79] The total amount of damage across health, infrastructure, education, food, communication, utilities
and other sectors was assessed at US$4.8 million.[76] President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr. issued a
national state of emergency on April 18.[80] The United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) provided US$100,000 for immediate assistance to support those affected.[81] In Guam,
emergency supplies were being prepared and donated to communities in need in Palau.[80]