Super Typhoon Fung-wong Batters Philippines, Forcing Massive Evacuations

As of November 9, 2025, Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the largest storm to threaten the Philippines this year, has started pummeling the country's northeastern coast. The typhoon, with winds of up to 115 mph and gusts of up to 143 mph, is expected to make landfall on the coast of Aurora or Isabela province later on November 9 or early November 10.

In response to the impending disaster, the Philippine government has evacuated over 916,860 people from high-risk villages in northeastern provinces, including the Bicol region, which is vulnerable to Pacific cyclones and mudflows from the active Mayon volcano. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has warned of the potentially catastrophic impact of Fung-wong, stating that the storm could affect a vast expanse of the country, including the central province of Cebu, which was hit hard by Typhoon Kalmaegi just days earlier, and the densely populated capital region of metropolitan Manila.

Authorities have also issued warnings of a "high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge" of more than 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) along the coasts of over 20 provinces and regions, including metropolitan Manila. The Philippines, which is battered by around 20 typhoons and storms each year, is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, often facing a combination of extreme weather events, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.