Communities in the central Philippines are counting the human and material cost after Typhoon Kalmaegi swept across the region, leaving at least 52 people dead and forcing mass evacuations.
The storm, known locally as Tino, brought strong winds and heavy rainfall that triggered dangerous flash floods, destroyed homes and trapped families in parts of Cebu and nearby provinces.
Authorities said almost 400,000 residents were moved to safer areas before the storm made landfall on Tuesday, but rescue teams continued to pull survivors from flooded homes and rooftops.
In several towns, boats were the only way to reach stranded families as muddy water surged through streets and uprooted structures.
Whole neighbourhoods on the main island of Cebu were submerged, with cars, containers and household items carried away by powerful flood currents.
Officials reported at least 13 people missing as emergency crews continued search operations in areas that were hardest hit. Images circulating online showed rooftops barely visible above fast-moving water.
Provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro said the level of flooding took the region by surprise. "We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but... the water is what's truly putting our people at risk," she said. In an earlier statement, she described the impact as one the province had never experienced before, adding that “the floodwaters are just devastating.” She later announced a state of calamity to speed up relief and enable emergency funding.
Many of those who died drowned after sudden surges of water swept through their homes. Small houses near rivers and hillsides were washed away, and thick layers of mud were left behind as water receded. Rescue volunteers said they found residents clinging to elevated structures, while others waited hours for help.
A separate emergency unfolded in Mindanao when a military helicopter assigned to assist victims crashed near Agusan del Sur. The aircraft had been deployed as part of disaster support when contact was lost, prompting an immediate search.
"Communication with the helicopter was lost, which immediately prompted the launch of a search and rescue operation," the Philippine Air Force said. Later, officials confirmed that six bodies were found, believed to be those of the pilot and crew.
The typhoon weakened after crossing land but still produced winds above 80 miles per hour (130 kilometres per hour). It is expected to exit through the Visayas region and move toward the South China Sea.
Residents like Don del Rosario, who sheltered in Cebu City, described the disaster as unlike any storm in recent memory. "I've been here for 28 years, and this is by far the worst we've experienced," he told AFP.
The Philippines, which faces about 20 storms every year, has been dealing with consecutive weather disasters in recent months. Two typhoons last month left more than a dozen people dead and damaged farmland and public infrastructure.
Cebu is also still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck on 30 September, while critics have blamed poor and unfinished flood control projects for adding to the scale of destruction during this year’s rainy season.