Over a Million Evacuated as Typhoon Fung-wong Nears Landfall in the Philippines

Manila, November 9, 2025 — More than a million residents have been evacuated across the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong barrels toward the country’s eastern coast, leaving widespread flooding and one confirmed death ahead of its expected landfall Sunday night.

The powerful storm, spanning nearly the entire Philippine archipelago, is forecast to strike Aurora province between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., according to state weather forecaster Charmagne Varilla. The typhoon’s arrival comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated the nation, killing over 220 people.

In Catbalogan City, rescue worker Juniel Tagarino reported the first casualty a 64-year-old woman who was buried under debris and trees while trying to evacuate. “The wind was so strong last night. Her family said she went back inside the house to get something and never made it out,” Tagarino said.

In Aurora, where Fung-wong is set to make landfall, residents were reinforcing homes with steel sheets and wooden planks. “What really scares us is that the landfall will happen at night. We won’t be able to see what’s happening around us,” said local government worker Aries Ora from Dipaculao town.

Authorities have ordered schools and government offices closed across Luzon, including the capital Manila, while nearly 300 flights were canceled as precautionary measures.

Earlier in the day, the island province of Catanduanes began experiencing storm surges and flooding. “The waves started roaring around 7 a.m. When they hit the seawall, it felt like the ground was shaking,” said Virac resident Edson Casarino. Verified videos showed floodwaters submerging half of a church’s entrance in the town.

Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the national civil defense agency, confirmed that around 1.2 million people have been preemptively evacuated nationwide. Widespread flooding was also reported in the Bicol region and other parts of southern Luzon.

Typhoon Fung-wong is expected to bring more than 200 millimeters of rainfall to many regions, raising fears of landslides and flash floods. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying storms like Fung-wong, with warmer ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture fueling their strength.

In preparation, residents in Catanduanes tied down their roofs with heavy ropes a traditional safeguard during severe storms. “We anchored the roofs to the ground to stop them from flying away,” said provincial rescue officer Roberto Monterola.

The country is still reeling from Typhoon Kalmaegi, the deadliest storm of 2025 so far, which killed at least 224 people and left 109 missing. Search operations in Cebu were suspended Saturday due to worsening conditions from the approaching super typhoon.