TAGBILARAN CITY — Half of Cebu City’s barangays woke up underwater Tuesday, November 4th, morning after Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) slammed into the city overnight, battering the area with hours of relentless rain and fierce winds. Power lines went down, neighborhoods quickly flooded, and thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes on short notice.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who leads the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the wind began howling around 3:45 a.m. and finally subsided by 7:30 a.m. By then, entire communities were already submerged.
Shipping containers and vehicles swept away by massive floodwaters caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino) in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 🇵🇭
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) November 4, 2025
Credit: Ellen May Miguel Gungob pic.twitter.com/RWJ7RUN9Yi
“When the typhoon was at its peak, we had to keep our rescue teams inside the malls for their safety—the wind was just too strong,” Tumulak said. “As soon as it calmed, we immediately sent them to the worst-hit barangays.”
The flooding took many residents by surprise. Typhoon Tino made landfall early Tuesday in Leyte and Cebu, bringing sustained winds of 150 kph and gusts reaching 205 kph. By dawn, floodwaters had surged into low-lying neighborhoods and even areas that rarely flood. Talamban, Bacayan, and Basak Pardo were hit especially hard. Cars and homes vanished beneath the water, forcing people to climb onto rooftops for safety.
Even barangays like Babag, which almost never flood, were inundated this time. In Busay, mountain roads became hazardous after landslides, with crews from the Department of Engineering and Public Works and barangay volunteers working to clear debris.
To prevent electrical hazards, Tumulak said he requested the city’s power be switched off around 4:30 a.m. “We had to do it to protect people from electrocution,” he explained. The Visayan Electric Company is now inspecting power lines before restoring electricity. Tumulak has instructed barangay captains to have licensed electricians ready to check homes once power is back.
The water supply, at least, remained stable throughout the crisis, according to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.
As floodwaters rose, rescue teams rushed to reach stranded residents. Tumulak said some people were swept away by the currents and a few bodies had been recovered, though officials are still confirming the numbers. The Philippine Coast Guard is monitoring river mouths and the coastline, searching for anyone still missing. Injured residents are receiving care at Cebu City Medical Center.
“We didn’t expect flooding like this, especially in places like Barangay Babag. It’s never happened here before,” Tumulak admitted.
Thousands crowded into evacuation centers across the city. By 5 a.m. on November 4, 1,374 families—about 5,000 people—had taken shelter in 20 North District evacuation centers, mainly in Mabolo, Tingub, Lahug, and Talamban. In the south, 3,189 families, or over 12,000 people, packed into 41 centers. Bonbon, Mambaling, Inayawan, and Guadalupe saw the highest numbers of evacuees.
Relief operations began immediately. The Department of Social Welfare and Services distributed food and supplies, with support from the Emergency Operations Center and disaster response teams.
Mayor Nestor Archival has ordered all departments—including engineering, social welfare, and emergency operations—to remain on red alert, keeping rescue, relief, and clearing work ongoing around the clock. With the rain continuing, the city is staying vigilant.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Pagasa reported Typhoon Tino near Sagay City, Negros Occidental, moving west-northwest at roughly 25 kph. Typhoon-force winds extended 300 kilometers from the center, bringing heavy rain across the Visayas.
Authorities warn that the danger is not yet over. They advise that flash floods and landslides remain a threat as the storm heads toward Panay Island. Residents in flood-prone and mountainous areas are urged to stay alert and follow evacuation orders.
