Typhoon Fung-wong Hits Philippines, Causing Widespread Damage
Typhoon Fung-wong passed through the northwestern Philippines on Monday, unleashing floods and landslides that caused power outages across entire provinces. The storm resulted in at least two deaths and displaced over 1.4 million people. It is expected to move northwest toward Taiwan.
Impact and Damage
Fung-wong struck the northern Philippines while the region was still recovering from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which had recently killed at least 224 people in central provinces and later caused fatalities in Vietnam. Fung-wong made landfall on Sunday night in northeastern Aurora province as a super typhoon with sustained winds up to 115 mph and gusts reaching 143 mph.
As the storm moved inland, it weakened while crossing mountainous areas and agricultural plains before exiting the province of La Union into the South China Sea, according to state weather forecasters.
Casualties and Displacement
- One person drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes province.
- Another fatality occurred in Catbalogan city, eastern Samar province, when a collapsing house trapped a woman.
- More than 1.4 million people evacuated to emergency shelters or relatives’ homes before the typhoon's landfall.
- As of Monday, approximately 318,000 people remained in evacuation centers.
Flooding and Emergency Response
The storm’s powerful winds and heavy rains flooded at least 132 villages in northern provinces. In some areas, residents were forced to seek refuge on rooftops as floodwaters rose rapidly.
“One person drowned in flash floods in the eastern province of Catanduanes, and another died in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province when her house collapsed on her, officials said.”
Forecasters continue to monitor the typhoon as it moves toward Taiwan.
Summary
Typhoon Fung-wong caused severe flooding, displaced over 1.4 million people, and killed two as it traversed the northern Philippines before heading toward Taiwan.