Typhoon Yinxing struck the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rains across Luzon, the country's most populated island. With maximum sustained winds recorded at 144 miles per hour, the Category 4 storm made landfall near Santa Ana around 2 p.m., only intensifying concerns over its potential destruction.
In response to the impending disaster, over 160,000 individuals had been evacuated by early Thursday, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense. Schools and workplaces were closed to ensure public safety, with the government issuing warnings for possible storm surges reaching heights of 10 feet.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a national “high alert,” instructing the public works and transportation departments to prepare for rapid response road-clearing operations. The authorities also cautioned residents about the risks of flash floods and landslides, urging them to evacuate or seek shelter.
Typhoons are a frequent occurrence in the Philippines, with an average of 20 storms impacting the region each year. Notably, Typhoon Krathon recently devastated northern areas of the country, causing widespread flash flooding, while Tropical Storm Trami in the previous month resulted in 80 fatalities and displacements of approximately half a million people.
