Typhoon Hailong Displaces 1.2 Million in Central Philippines

Super Typhoon Makes Landfall in Samar Province

Super Typhoon Hailong slammed into Eastern Samar province on October 16, 2025, with sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, displacing an estimated 1.2 million people across the Visayas region. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration classified Hailong as the strongest typhoon to hit the country since Typhoon Rai in December 2021.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed 23 deaths and 187 injuries as of October 17, with search and rescue operations ongoing in Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces. Power outages affected 2.8 million households across six provinces.

Evacuation and Relief Operations

The Philippine military deployed 4,500 troops and 15 helicopters for rescue operations in flooded areas of Tacloban City, where storm surge reached 3 meters in some coastal barangays. The Department of Social Welfare and Development pre-positioned 850,000 food packs in evacuation centers before landfall.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity in the Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas regions, unlocking quick-response funds totaling 12 billion pesos ($215 million). "We learned from Haiyan," Marcos said in a televised address. "Pre-positioning of supplies saved lives."

International Response

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs activated a flash appeal for $45 million. Japan pledged $10 million in emergency assistance, while Australia committed $5 million through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Asian Development Bank fast-tracked a $200 million emergency loan under its disaster response facility. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said the bank would also deploy rapid damage assessment teams to support reconstruction planning.

Agricultural Losses Mount

The Department of Agriculture estimated crop damage at 8.3 billion pesos, primarily to rice paddies and coconut plantations in Leyte province. The Philippine Coconut Authority warned that full recovery of coconut production in affected areas could take three to five years, threatening the livelihoods of 340,000 farming families.

Hailong weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed the Visayan Sea and was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by October 19.