Typhoon Tino Leaves 140 Dead, 127 Missing
Typhoon Tino devastated the central Philippines, killing more than 140 people and leaving 127 missing as it moved toward Vietnam. The storm caused record-breaking floods across Cebu province, destroying homes, vehicles, and infrastructure.
The National Civil Defense Office confirmed 114 deaths, while Cebu authorities reported 28 more. In Liloan, near Cebu City, cars were stacked on top of each other, roofs were ripped off, and families searched through mud for missing relatives. Among the victims was Michelle Aton, a woman with a disability trapped in her room as floodwaters rose. Her sister Christine said they tried to break the door but couldn’t, and she and their father had to escape through a window, leaving Michelle behind.
On Negros Island, at least 30 people died when heavy rains triggered mudflows from Mount Kanlaon’s volcanic deposits, burying homes in Canlaon City. Six military officers were also killed when their helicopter crashed during a rescue mission.
In Cebu’s worst-hit areas, survivors started cleaning streets that had turned into rivers overnight. Shop owner Reynaldo Vergara lost everything when floodwaters destroyed his small store in Mandaue City. In nearby Talisay, 26-year-old Regie Mallorca began rebuilding his home that was swept away by floods.
Cebu City recorded 18.3 centimeters of rain in just one day—much higher than its monthly average. Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the disaster as unprecedented and devastating. Experts warned that climate change is making storms stronger and wetter, with warmer oceans and air fueling more rainfall.
Nearly 800,000 people were evacuated from Tino’s path. As of Thursday, the storm had intensified with sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 190. It was expected to hit central Vietnam later that night, bringing waves as high as eight meters and strong storm surges. Vietnamese officials called it an urgent and dangerous storm, warning residents to prepare as Tino threatened to worsen the country’s week of deadly flooding.