Super Typhoon Fung-wong, or Uwan as it’s called locally, is about to make landfall in northern Luzon, Philippines. It’s the 21st storm of this year’s remarkable severe weather onslaught to strike the country. In doing so, it has already outpaced the annual average of 20 named storms. Fung-wong—now classified as a super typhoon—is carrying sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 230 kilometers per hour. Together these factors will create significant challenges for disaster response teams on the ground in that region.
Government officials say at least two people have already been killed due to the incoming storm, which has forced massive evacuations in some of the most vulnerable areas. More than one million Houston-area residents have moved to higher ground before the storm is expected to make landfall within the next few days. The US military has mobilized 2,000 troops to support humanitarian response. This step underscores the life-or-death urgency of this moment.
Impact on Infrastructure and Evacuations
Fung-wong has already left a trail of widespread destruction, downing power in 14 out of 16 provinces in the region of Bicol. As communities prepare for this massive storm, leaders are already stressing that residents should pay close attention to evacuation orders. National Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has advised residents in hard-hit areas to put their safety first.
“We ask that people to pre-emptively evacuate so that we don’t end up having to conduct rescues at the last minute, which could put the lives of police, soldiers, firefighters and coast guard personnel at risk,” – Gilberto Teodoro
Families such as the Sanchez family have decided to play it safe. Sanchez shared his experience, stating, “We heard on the news that the typhoon is very strong, so we evacuated early.” He further described the traumatic decision to abandon their possessions as they fled from encroaching waters and pursued shelter.
Forecast and Future Path
As of Tuesday evening, Super Typhoon Fung-wong was on track to cross through the Taiwan Strait by Wednesday. Meteorologists expect it to weaken considerably before it makes landfall in western Taiwan late Thursday. Upon hitting Taiwan, the storm will rapidly lose strength. Upon reentering land, it is forecast to reemerge over the Ryukyu Islands as a far weaker tropical system.
Despite its anticipated weakening, authorities remain vigilant. Although the typhoon is weakening at a rapid pace, there are still short-term threats. The strong winds and excessive rain still pose a serious danger to the Philippines.
Community Concerns and Safety Measures
Evacuation centers have generally been filled with a combination of fear and determination among those who’ve been displaced. One mother at an evacuation center summed up her fear with a single statement, “We’re afraid.” Such sentiments highlight the emotional impact of natural disasters on affected communities.
Local governments are currently and quietly increasing their levels of communication and outreach. They have a working goal of communicating evacuation plans and readiness steps to residents even as Super Typhoon Fung-wong heads their way.
