Philippines Evacuates 100,000 as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Nears
The Philippines is undertaking one of its largest emergency evacuations as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, intensifies into one of the most powerful storms to threaten the archipelago this year, according to Reuters. Over 100,000 residents have been evacuated from eastern and northern regions ahead of the storm’s expected landfall in central Luzon early Monday morning.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued the highest alert level — Signal No. 5 — across southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and coastal areas of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, while Metro Manila remains under Signal No. 3.
### Why It Matters
Super Typhoon Fung-Wong arrives amid growing concerns about the Philippines’ vulnerability to successive major storms. The nation is still recovering from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which devastated the region just days earlier, killing 204 people in the Philippines and five more in Vietnam while causing widespread destruction across Southeast Asia.
The storm’s potential impact extends beyond the Philippines. With sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 kph, the typhoon poses significant risks to critical infrastructure, agricultural systems, and economic activity across one of Asia’s most densely populated regions.
### What To Know
PAGASA forecasts that Super Typhoon Fung-Wong will make landfall as a Category 5 typhoon — the highest classification — with winds exceeding 115 mph. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic conditions to multiple regions:
– **Sunday, November 9:** Catanduanes will experience intense rainfall exceeding 200mm, while heavy to intense rain (100–200mm) will affect Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.
– **Monday, November 10:** The most severe impacts will shift northward, with intense rainfall exceeding 200mm expected across Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and multiple provinces in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions. Metro Manila and surrounding provinces will experience heavy to intense rainfall of 100–200mm.
Parts of Eastern Visayas are already experiencing widespread power outages, providing a preview of the infrastructure damage expected as the typhoon makes landfall.
The Philippine Coast Guard has been conducting preemptive evacuation operations, transporting residents from coastal areas to safer inland locations. The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has also issued a weather alert warning American citizens in potentially affected areas to heed local guidance and evacuation orders.
### What People Are Saying
**U.S. Embassy Manila:**
“We urge all U.S. citizens in potentially affected areas to follow local guidance, including evacuation orders. U.S. citizens who choose to remain in the storm’s path should prepare for life-threatening winds and flooding and stockpile food, water, and medication.”
**Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA-DOST):**
“There is a high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m within the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal communities of Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.”
### What Happens Next?
Super Typhoon Fung-Wong is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon Sunday night at the earliest, with peak impacts expected Monday morning.
Authorities are urging residents to monitor real-time updates from PAGASA and local municipal governments through official channels. The U.S. Embassy recommends that American citizens enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and assist with emergency coordination.
Those requiring assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila during business hours, with emergency after-hours support available at the same number.
Recovery and assessment operations are expected to commence once the storm passes, following the pattern established after Typhoon Kalmaegi’s recent devastation.
https://www.newsweek.com/philippines-evacuates-100000-as-super-typhoon-fung-wong-nears-11017075
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