Typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall in Aurora Province on the evening of November 8, 2025, striking the Philippines’ most populated island, Luzon. The super typhoon brought sustained winds of 115 miles per hour and gusts reaching 143 miles per hour, resulting in the evacuation of nearly one million residents. Tragically, reports confirm at least two fatalities attributed to the storm.
As Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, approached, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued warnings about life-threatening storm surges associated with this “very intense typhoon.” This storm follows closely behind Typhoon Kalmaegi, which ravaged the Central Philippines just days earlier, leaving nearly 200 dead and causing further devastation in Vietnam.
Casualties and Disruptions
Civil defense officers reported that one individual drowned when Fung-Wong made landfall. In Catbalogan City, firefighters recovered the body of a woman trapped beneath debris. The impact of the typhoon extended to travel disruptions, with nearly 300 flights canceled as several airports were forced to close.
Meteorologists initially anticipated that Fung-Wong would weaken after making landfall. However, they indicated that the storm could maintain its typhoon status as it continued to move through the province, remaining a concern through at least Tuesday. The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council activated its highest alert level in preparation for the storm’s arrival, anticipating severe winds and heavy rainfall from Sunday through Tuesday.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Civil Defense Director George Keyser emphasized the urgency of preparedness during an emergency meeting prior to the storm’s arrival. “This is our highest state of readiness,” he stated. Keyser highlighted the potential for unprecedented rainfall, even if the storm’s eye made landfall further north.
With uncertainty surrounding the volume of rain, coordination among 17 local governments and national agencies became critical. Keyser identified the period from Sunday afternoon through Monday night as crucial for clearing streets to facilitate search-and-rescue and relief operations.
The emergency alert prompted the mobilization of 486 traffic enforcers, 130 flood control teams, and 40 road emergency crews, alongside K-9 units. The Philippine Information Agency reported that full response protocols were activated at 71 pumping stations, ensuring video monitoring of 85 critical sites. Additionally, resources such as boats, cranes, payloaders, and buses were deployed for evacuations as needed.
Fung-Wong’s typhoon mass covers approximately 932 miles and began impacting the eastern regions of the Philippines with strong winds and heavy rainfall prior to its landfall. The storm is forecasted to move in a northwesterly direction across the northwestern Philippines before shifting north and then northeast toward Taiwan.
As the nation braces for the aftermath of this severe weather event, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of affected communities as relief efforts commence.
