Filipinos Evacuate as Typhoon Kalmaegi Floods Streets, Braces for Next Storm

As of November 8th, 2025, the Philippines government has declared a state of calamity across the country in the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the next storm. This declaration has given government agencies more power to access emergency funds and fast-track the procurement and delivery of essential goods and services to those in need.

For many Filipinos, the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi earlier this week has left them anxious about the storm to come. Norlito Dugan, a resident, has decided to evacuate and take shelter in a church in the city of Sorsogon, saying, "We decided to evacuate because the recent typhoon brought floods in our area, and now I just want to keep my family safe." Another resident, Maxine Dugan, has also sought refuge in the church, explaining, "I'm here because the waves near my house are now huge, I live near the shore. The winds there are now very strong, and the waves are huge."

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones, with about 20 such weather systems forming in the Pacific Ocean every year, half of which directly impact the country. Climate change is not thought to increase the number of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones worldwide, but warmer oceans and a warmer atmosphere fueled by climate change have the potential to make those that do form even more intense, leading to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and a greater risk of coastal flooding.