As Typhoon Kalmaegi barreled toward the eastern Philippines on November 3, 2025, the nation braced for yet another test of its resilience against nature’s fury. Authorities moved quickly, ordering tens of thousands of residents to evacuate from vulnerable coastal communities in the east-central region, while fishermen were banned from heading out to sea. The sense of urgency was palpable as memories of past disasters loomed large over the preparations.
According to the Associated Press, the Philippine government, with the help of army troops, police, firefighters, and disaster-mitigation teams, issued mandatory evacuation orders for more than 70,000 people living in the coastal towns of Guiuan, Mercedes, and Salcedo. These towns, situated in Eastern Samar province and Camarines Norte, were directly in the path of the approaching typhoon. Residents were moved to evacuation centers or concrete buildings certified as sturdy enough to withstand the typhoon’s impact.
Eastern Samar Governor RV Evardone, who led the evacuation efforts, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "Nobody’s complaining among the residents because of their experience with Yolanda. They know it’s better to be safe than sorry," Evardone told the Associated Press, referencing Typhoon Haiyan—known locally as Yolanda—which devastated the region in 2013. "They then saw bodies scattered everywhere on streets. Many lost everything."
Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, was last observed about 235 kilometers (146 miles) east of Guiuan, packing sustained winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (74 mph) and gusts reaching 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph), according to weather forecasters cited by Al Jazeera. The storm was expected to make landfall later that day, with forecasters warning of torrential rains and potentially deadly storm surges rising up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) along the coast. The threat of flooding and landslides prompted officials to act decisively.
"Forecasters have warned of torrential rains, storm surges of up to 3 metres (10ft) and wind gusts of up to 150km/h (93mph) as the centre of the storm was expected to come ashore on Monday," reported Al Jazeera. The Philippine Coast Guard documented the evacuation of residents in San Miguel, Leyte province, as the typhoon drew closer, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The timing of Kalmaegi’s arrival could hardly have been worse. Central island provinces, including Cebu, were still reeling from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30, 2025. That quake left at least 79 people dead and displaced thousands, many of whom were still living in temporary shelters or damaged homes. As The Associated Press noted, the region’s recovery was far from complete, and the looming typhoon threatened to compound the hardship for countless families.
"Cebu is still recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September," Al Jazeera observed, underscoring the overlapping crises faced by the archipelago. The Philippines, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to such disasters. On average, the country endures about 20 typhoons and storms each year, along with frequent earthquakes and the constant threat of volcanic eruptions from more than a dozen active volcanoes. It is, by all accounts, one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.
Guiuan, one of the towns at the center of the evacuation effort, has a tragic history with typhoons. In November 2013, it was the first point of landfall for Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. Haiyan left more than 7,300 people dead or missing, flattened entire villages, and swept ships inland. The storm demolished about a million houses and displaced over four million people, many of whom have never fully recovered. The trauma of that event remains fresh in the collective memory of the region’s residents.
"Guiuan is no stranger to typhoons. It was badly hit in November 2013 when one of the most powerful tropical cyclones on record smashed into the Philippines. The storm left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displaced over four million people," Al Jazeera reminded readers, drawing a direct line between past and present challenges.
While Kalmaegi’s immediate impact was the focus of concern, scientists and officials alike pointed to a troubling trend: typhoons striking the Philippines are becoming more powerful, a phenomenon many attribute to human-driven climate change. In September alone, the archipelago was battered by two major storms, including Super Typhoon Ragasa, which toppled trees, tore roofs off buildings, and killed 14 people in neighboring Taiwan.
"The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms annually, and scientists are warning that they are becoming more powerful due to human-driven climate change," reported Al Jazeera. This warning echoed the sentiments of climate experts worldwide, who have long cautioned that warming ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns are fueling more intense and destructive storms across the globe.
In the face of these challenges, the Philippine government’s disaster-response agencies, including the coast guard, were placed on high alert. Thousands of villagers from island provinces near Eastern Samar were also evacuated, as officials sought to minimize casualties and prevent a repeat of past tragedies. Fishermen, often among the most vulnerable during typhoons, were strictly prohibited from venturing out to sea—a measure that, while economically painful, was deemed essential for public safety.
The logistical hurdles of evacuating tens of thousands of people in a short time frame are immense. Schools, churches, and community centers were converted into temporary shelters, with local officials working around the clock to ensure that basic needs—food, water, medical care—were met. The sense of community spirit was evident, as neighbors helped one another move to safety and volunteers pitched in to support the evacuation effort.
Despite the anxiety and disruption, there was little resistance from residents. The scars left by Typhoon Haiyan, and more recently by the September earthquake, served as stark reminders of the stakes involved. As Governor Evardone put it, "They know it’s better to be safe than sorry." The collective memory of tragedy has, in many ways, fostered a culture of preparedness and mutual support in the face of recurring disasters.
As Typhoon Kalmaegi made its approach, the world watched to see how the Philippines would weather yet another storm. The nation’s response—swift, organized, and informed by hard-earned experience—offered a sobering glimpse into a future where such events may become even more frequent and severe. For the people of Guiuan, Mercedes, Salcedo, and countless other communities along the storm’s path, the hope was simple: to endure, to rebuild, and to carry forward the lessons of the past.
