Cebu’s worst flooding: 48 dead, 29 missing

CEBU, Philippines — At least 48 people have been confirmed dead, while several others remain missing after Typhoon Tino dumped more than a month’s worth of rain, triggering landslides and what authorities describe as the worst flooding Cebu has experienced in recent history.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) reported nine deaths as of last night—one each in Barangays Cogon Pardo, Sapangdaku, Talamban, Poblacion-Pardo, and Guadalupe, and two each in Bacayan and Kalunasan. The victims ranged in age from a one-month-old infant to over 60 years old.

As of last night nine other fatalities were reported in Mandaue City, 15 in Compostela, 8 in Danao City, and 7 in Talisay City.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano said the deaths included a 48-year-old woman and a young girl in Barangay Tabok; two women and a man in Barangay Paknaan; two men in Barangay Cabancalan; a woman in Barangay Umapad; and another in Barangay Canduman.

Ouano said he and personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Social Welfare Services (CSWS), and other departments visited evacuation centers in Barangays Opao, Ibabao-Estancia, and Looc to assess the situation after the storm.

“Magpakalig-on ta, Mandauehanon. Padayon ta sa pagtinabangay ug pagbangon,” Ouano said, encouraging residents to stay strong and united amid the calamity.

Tragic losses

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival, who has been leading rescue operations on the ground, estimated that 95 percent of riverside homes in the North District were washed away.

The exact number of damaged houses remains unknown, but at least two families were reportedly washed out as of press time.

Authorities also reported 28 missing individuals, 16 of them from Barangay Bacayan—one of the areas worst hit by flash floods. Another one missing in Danao City.  In Barangay Bacayan, at least 12 individuals were reported missing after being swept away by raging waters. Archival said the missing included two families, with only the father surviving.

“Duha na ka family ha. Ang papa nalang ang nahabilin. Wa na-recover. So far, wala mi kita’g na-recover,” he said.

“So far, wala pa mahibaw-an kung naa ra ba to sa kilid-kilid or nadala ba to sa dagat… I don’t think buhi pa to sila,” he added.

A family of four died after their home in Barangay Sapangdaku was buried by a landslide.

Barangay Captain Jovito Ladrazo identified the victims as Misael, 53; his wife Alicia, 47; and their sons Lawrence, 23, and Kyle Andre, 21.

In Barangay Talamban, the body of a man aged 55 to 60, believed to have been swept away from Barangay Pit-os, was recovered.

A four-month-old infant in Barangay Pardo also died after being swept away when the mother slipped while trying to evacuate amid rising waters.

Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito, a former barangay captain of Bacayan, expressed shock at the devastation, saying it was the first time he had seen their community in such disarray.

Many residents, having survived previous typhoons like Odette, believed they were prepared. However, the sudden and forceful rise of the Butuanon River caught them off guard, leading to widespread destruction.

A viral video from Villa del Rio in Bacayan captured the terrifying moment floodwaters surged through the area, dragging vehicles and debris.

According to CCDRRMO Chief Aderson Comar, the river’s unexpected diversion intensified the flooding and complicated rescue efforts. Many of the homes swept away from Bacayan and Pit-os ended up in Talamban, further straining emergency responders already hampered by downed communication lines.

Rescue operations led by Mayor Archival, along with the CDRRMO, Bureau of Fire Protection, and barangay volunteers, continued despite the challenges. Operations were briefly suspended at the height of the typhoon for safety reasons but resumed once conditions allowed.

Thousands evacuated

Thousands of residents were preventively evacuated before Tino’s full impact.

As of 5 a.m. on November 4, the North District recorded 1,374 families (5,005 individuals) sheltering in 20 evacuation centers, with Mabolo, Tingub, Lahug, and Talamban among the hardest-hit barangays.

In the South District, 3,189 families (12,070 individuals) were staying in 41 evacuation centers, particularly in Bonbon, Mambaling, Inayawan, and Guadalupe.

All evacuation centers received food packs, hygiene kits, and sleeping mats from the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). Medical teams and barangay responders have been providing round-the-clock assistance.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has been deployed to prevent looting and maintain order in affected areas. The city remains under red alert status, with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) coordinating clearing and safety operations.

Mayor Archival has directed all city departments to sustain 24-hour operations for relief, rescue, and monitoring. Residents are urged to remain in safe zones, cooperate with authorities, and rely only on verified updates from PAGASA and the Cebu City Public Information Office.

Provincewide impact

Still reeling from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake just a month ago, Cebuanos are again facing another ordeal as Typhoon Tino inundated large parts of the province. Continuous heavy rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and power outages across Metro Cebu and neighboring towns, leaving thousands stranded and several communities isolated.

Residents in low-lying areas scrambled to evacuate as floodwaters rose overnight, submerging homes, vehicles, and key roads.

Emergency teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations, while authorities urged residents to stay alert and heed advisories from local disaster councils.

Strong winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour toppled trees and power lines, destroyed light-material houses, and battered coastal communities in Liloan, Danao City, Bogo City, and Bantayan Island. Landslides and road blockages were reported along the Transcentral Highway and mountain barangays.

In Talisay City’s Barangay Manipis, loosened soil from continuous rains caused landslides that buried parts of the barangay in thick mud, though the affected family had evacuated beforehand.

Flooding also rendered roads impassable in Consolacion, while fallen trees and debris blocked streets in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City.

Northern Cebu struggles to recover

At least eight people perished in Danao City after being drowned or trapped under collapsed debris, according to the city’s Information Office. However, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has verified only three deaths so far, as confirmed by the Cebu Provincial Government.

Flooding was reported in 46 areas across six towns and cities—Liloan, Mandaue, Talisay, Consolacion, Danao, and Compostela—affecting thousands of residents.

In a situational report issued at 11 a.m. yesterday, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO) said 32,603 families (102,385 individuals) were evacuated to 660 evacuation centers in 33 affected LGUs.

Power outages were also reported in parts of Bantayan, Tabogon, Compostela, Santa Fe, Tudela, Borbon, Sogod, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan, and Asturias.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, Cebu, including Bantayan Island, remained under Signal No. 2.— Le Phyllis F. Antojado (FREEMAN)