Super Typhoon Fung-wong Batters Northeastern Philippines
Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the largest storm to threaten the Philippines this year, began striking the country's northeastern coast as it closed in for landfall on Sunday. The storm knocked out power in several eastern towns, prompted the evacuation of more than one million residents and spurred urgent calls for people in high-risk areas to move to safety immediately.
Storm strength and forecast
Government forecasters said Fung-wong carried sustained winds up to 185 kph (115 mph) with gusts as high as 230 kph (143 mph). Its rain-and-wind band spans roughly 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) and could cover up to two-thirds of the archipelago. By midday Sunday, the system was located over coastal waters near Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province and was expected to track northwestward, with landfall likely along the coasts of Aurora or Isabela late Sunday or early Monday.
Impact and risks
Authorities warned of widespread hazards: torrential rain, damaging winds, flash floods, landslides and a life-threatening storm surge exceeding 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) along more than 20 coastal provinces and regions, including parts of metropolitan Manila. Over a million people were evacuated from high-risk villages, and the Office of Civil Defense estimated that more than 30 million people could be exposed to the storm's hazards.
“The rain and wind were so strong there was nearly zero visibility,” said Roberto Monterola, a disaster-mitigation officer in Catanduanes. He reported rescues of people trapped by rising floodwaters but, as of his update, no fatalities had been confirmed in the province of more than 200,000 residents.
Government response
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency following the devastation from earlier Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people in central island provinces. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who oversees disaster response and the military, urged immediate evacuations from flood- and landslide-prone areas and warned that rescue operations become far more difficult once heavy rain and flooding begin.
Authorities preemptively closed schools and many government offices in northern provinces expected to be hit or sideswiped by the typhoon. At least 325 domestic and 61 international flights were canceled over the weekend and into Monday, and more than 6,600 passengers and cargo workers were stranded at 109 seaports after the coast guard barred vessels from venturing into rough seas.
International assistance and context
The government has not formally requested international aid following Kalmaegi, but officials said long-time allies the United States and Japan were ready to assist if needed. The Philippines typically faces about 20 tropical cyclones a year and also contends with frequent earthquakes and more than a dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.
Safety advice: Officials urge residents to follow evacuation orders, move away from coastal and low-lying areas, and stay tuned to local authorities for updates. When severe weather is underway, do not attempt to wait out storm surge or fast-moving floods—evacuate early if ordered.
