The storm’s heavy rain, not its wind, proved to be the biggest danger
At least 26 people are confirmed dead and hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes after Typhoon Kalmaegi brought sudden, devastating floods to the central Philippines on Tuesday.
The storm’s heavy rain, not its wind, proved to be the biggest danger. The island of Cebu was hit hardest, reporting 21 fatalities—most of whom drowned, according to civil defence official Rafaelito Alejandro.
Videos confirmed by news agency AFP showed the disaster’s scale: entire towns were underwater, and the powerful, muddy currents swept away cars, trucks, and even massive shipping containers.
❗️❗️ HORRIFIC flooding across Cebu, Philippines after Typhoon Kalmaegi (TinoPH).
Homes gone. Streets underwater. Families displaced.
This. Is. Not. Normal.
Warmer oceans = stronger storms
Climate change = worse floodingWhat we’re seeing in Cebu is part of a growing global… pic.twitter.com/9fAM2daPBV
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) November 4, 2025
The area around Cebu City received a massive 183 millimetres (seven inches) of rain in just 24 hours, far exceeding the typical monthly amount of 131 millimetres.
“The situation in Cebu is really unprecedented,” Governor Pamela Baricuatro stated. “We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but… the water is what’s truly putting our people at risk.”
Local resident Don del Rosario, 28, described the frightening speed of the water: “The water rose so fast. By 4:00 am, it was already uncontrollable—people couldn’t get out.” He added that it was the worst flooding he had seen in his life.
Deaths were also reported in Leyte (an elderly resident who drowned) and Bohol (a man struck by a falling tree). Rescuers are still trying to reach residents trapped by the high floodwaters.
In total, nearly 400,000 people were moved out of the typhoon’s path ahead of time. This included individuals still living in temporary shelters after a major 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the island in September.
Late Tuesday, the crisis worsened when a military Super Huey helicopter crashed on northern Mindanao island while flying to assist with relief operations. Search and recovery missions are underway.
The Philippines is struck by an average of 20 storms yearly, a number the country has now already reached with Kalmaegi. Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is making storms more powerful. Warmer oceans cause typhoons to strengthen faster, and a warmer atmosphere means storms drop more rain, leading to heavier flooding.
Weather specialists predict up to five more storms could still arrive by the end of December.
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