Beast Super Typhoon Enters Philippines: Storm Hunters Prepare for Uwan's Wrath

As the Philippines braces for the full fury of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-Wong), two of the world's most renowned storm chasers are stationed on the country's eastern seaboard, documenting one of the most dangerous weather systems to approach Luzon this year.

American cyclone tracker Josh Morgerman, known to more than half a million followers on his iCyclone platforms, and British filmmaker James Reynolds, the face of Earth Uncut TV with over 250,000 followers, are both positioned in Baler, Aurora Province, one of the first towns expected to experience the brunt of the storm later this evening.

According to the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA, Uwan is projected to make landfall around 10 p.m. local time (Sunday, 9 November) along the coastline between Aurora and Isabela provinces. The storm is expected to cross northern Luzon overnight and exit into the West Philippine Sea by Tuesday.

Morgerman posted from the Baler waterfront early Sunday, writing: 'Typhoon Fung-Wong is closing in on the Philippines. It's been gradually strengthening and it's starting to look more symmetric and dangerous. For now, I'm right where I want to be. Gorgeous night here. The air has a sort of heavy, thick, magical texture to it.'

By noontime, the veteran storm chaser shared another update after a powerful wave struck his location. 'A wave got me. Crashed up over the seawall and threw me against the patio railing, then penetrated deep into the hotel restaurant. I'm ok, just scratches and bruises. A good lesson about respecting the power of water. Typhoon FUNG-WONG (UWAN) is approaching Baler in the Philippines, just hours away.'

Growing Power

At 11 a.m. today, PAGASA confirmed that Uwan had intensified into a super typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of more than 220 kilometres per hour near the centre and gusts reaching 270 kilometres per hour. Signal No. 5, the highest storm alert, has been raised over Polillo Islands, northern Camarines Norte, eastern Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

The weather bureau warned that the typhoon would bring torrential rain, violent winds and life-threatening storm surges across Luzon, with more than 30 million Filipinos likely to be affected by its passage.

According to PAGASA's latest rainfall forecast:

Over 200 millimetres of rain are expected in Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Albay, with a high risk of widespread flooding and landslides.

Between 100 and 200 millimetres are expected in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Masbate, Sorsogon, Samar and Northern Samar, where numerous flooding events are anticipated.

Up to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in Batanes, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Eastern Samar and Leyte, possibly causing localised flooding and landslides.

PAGASA said the rainfall could be even heavier in mountainous regions, with conditions worsened by already saturated soil from previous storms.

'Huge Weight Behind the Waves'

Reynolds, who has tracked dozens of typhoons across Asia, described the escalating situation along the Baler coastline. 'Huge weight behind some of these waves smashing into the waterfront in Baler,' he wrote on Earth Uncut TV. 'They're continuing to grow and get heavier as the day progresses and typhoon Uwan or Fung-Wong gets closer.'

The filmmaker added that he and his crew were monitoring conditions closely from a secure vantage point and warned viewers to stay clear of the shoreline. 'This is already looking dangerous, with huge surf pounding the sea wall hours before landfall,' he said in his live update.

Mass Evacuations and Power Warnings

Local governments have ordered widespread evacuations in Aurora, Isabela, Quezon, Camarines Sur and Albay. Thousands of residents have sought shelter in schools, gymnasiums and shopping centres converted into temporary evacuation hubs.

Authorities expect power interruptions and communication blackouts once the storm's eyewall moves inland. Flights have been cancelled and classes suspended across several provinces, including Metro Manila, as the country prepares for what could be its strongest landfalling typhoon of 2025.

PAGASA also warned of storm surges up to five metres along the eastern coastline, particularly in areas facing the Pacific, and advised fishermen and coastal residents to remain in safe locations.

The Long Night Ahead

As Uwan's winds begin to lash the Aurora coastline, both Morgerman and Reynolds continue to broadcast live footage of the storm's advance to hundreds of thousands of followers around the world. Their videos and meteorological data will later assist researchers and emergency services in assessing the storm's strength and impact.

For now, the focus remains on survival and vigilance. PAGASA has urged all disaster-risk reduction offices to remain on full alert, warning that the storm will bring widespread heavy rainfall and destructive winds through Monday and lingering effects through Wednesday, 12 November.

As night falls over Luzon, the world watches two storm chasers standing face to face with one of the Pacific's most powerful tempests of the year, while millions of Filipinos prepare for the long, dangerous hours ahead.