As Typhoon Uwan intensifies over the Philippine Sea and is forecast to reach super typhoon status before landfall, the nation reflects on a tragedy that struck the country on this same day 12 years ago.

On 8 November 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, bringing destruction on a scale the Philippines had never seen before.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Yolanda packed maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 275 kph. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) later reported even stronger winds of 315 kph and gusts of up to 380 kph, making it one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded.

The typhoon first formed as a low-pressure area on 2 November 2013 east of Micronesia, rapidly intensifying as it crossed the Pacific. By 6 November, it had entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was named Yolanda. Preparations began immediately, but the storm’s unprecedented strength caught many communities off guard.

At 4:40 a.m. on 8 November, Yolanda made its first landfall in Eastern Samar, cutting power, communication, and access across much of the Visayas. Storm surges several meters high swept through coastal cities such as Tacloban, flattening homes and infrastructure.

In the aftermath, government agencies struggled to reestablish communication and deliver relief to isolated areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Yolanda affected over 9.5 million individuals, displaced millions, and left more than 6,000 people dead — with thousands more missing.

The total cost of damage was estimated at P650 billion, making Yolanda the costliest natural disaster in Philippine history. Relief and recovery efforts continued for years, supported by international aid and humanitarian assistance from dozens of countries and organizations.

Twelve years later, the lessons of Yolanda continue to shape the country’s disaster response and preparedness measures. Survivors in affected provinces, particularly Leyte and Eastern Samar, continue to rebuild their communities while honoring those who lost their lives.

As Typhoon Uwan looms over the same waters where Yolanda once formed, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and heed weather advisories.

Twelve years on, Yolanda stands as a lasting reminder of the nation’s vulnerability — and its enduring resilience.