Typhoon Emong, internationally known as Co-May, made landfall Friday morning in Pangasinan, northwestern Luzon, bringing with it torrential rain, gale-force winds, and a renewed risk for landslides and flooding across the region. The storm, which rapidly intensified over the warm waters of the West Philippine Sea earlier in the week, is now being called the strongest tropical cyclone to strike this part of Luzon in over 16 years.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Emong came ashore near the Lingayen Gulf as a strong typhoon. Wind gusts of over 150 kph were reported in portions of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, while widespread flooding was observed in low-lying areas across Region I.
The last comparable storm to strike this part of Luzon occurred on May 7, 2009, when Typhoon Chan-hom — also locally named Emong — made landfall in a similar area. Despite the intensity of the 2009 storm, the name Emong was never retired, making this the second time a storm of that name has brought severe impacts to the region.
Monsoon Enhanced by Multiple Storms
The storm’s effects have not been limited to its core. Emong has significantly enhanced the southwest monsoon, or habagat, leading to increased rainfall across much of Luzon, including Metro Manila. PAGASA has maintained flood warnings in place across Central Luzon, particularly in areas like Zambales, Bataan, and Subic Bay, where additional rainfall totals of 200 to 300 millimeters are expected through the weekend.
The monsoonal flow is being intensified not only by Emong, but also by the remnants of Typhoon Dante, internationally known as Francisco, which tracked northward toward Okinawa earlier in the week. The interaction between the two systems is a textbook example of the Fujiwhara effect, where two nearby cyclones begin to orbit around a common center and influence each other’s track and intensity.
Despite Francisco’s low-level center passing south of Okinawa, strong southerly winds were reported across the southern Japanese islands. Several prefectures, including Okinawa and the Amami Islands, were placed under gale warnings as Francisco exited the region. Local reports even noted airborne trampolines and other storm debris, a common occurrence in the area during typhoon season.
System Weakening, But Rainfall Continues
Emong is expected to gradually weaken as it continues tracking northward into the Luzon Strait and toward southern Japan. PAGASA forecasts that it will degrade to a tropical storm by late Friday evening and further weaken to a tropical depression before dissipating altogether sometime Saturday or early Sunday.
However, the enhanced moisture inflow behind the storm will linger into the weekend. Even as the storm system weakens, its tail is expected to continue pulling in tropical moisture from the West Philippine Sea, extending the habagat and maintaining elevated rainfall across western Luzon and parts of Central Luzon.
In the longer term, forecasters are watching a new developing tropical disturbance near Guam and the Mariana Islands. While disorganized as of Friday morning, environmental conditions suggest it could develop into a new tropical storm in the coming days. It remains uncertain if this system will directly affect the Philippines or curve northward under the influence of high pressure over Japan.
Storm Impacts and Ongoing Risk
Since the onset of the enhanced monsoon pattern in mid-July, rainfall across Luzon has reached critical levels. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 12 people have died and eight remain missing due to flooding and landslides attributed to recent storms.
Authorities warn that ground saturation from persistent rainfall significantly increases the risk of landslides and flash floods in mountainous and coastal regions. Rivers such as the Abra, Chico, and Agno are being closely monitored for overflow, particularly as runoff from Emong’s deluge continues.
Classes have been suspended in multiple provinces, and local government units are urging residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for possible evacuation orders. Meanwhile, ferry services across the West Philippine Sea have been halted, and flights in and out of Laoag, Baguio, and Clark have faced cancellations and delays.
Staying Prepared Amid Storm Fatigue
Meteorologists have also raised concerns about public complacency, especially in areas that have not experienced a direct landfall in years. “It’s common for people to say they’ve been through storms before, but for many in northwestern Luzon, this is the first time in over a decade they’re dealing with an eyewall coming onshore,” said Robert Speta, meteorologist at Western Pacific Weather. “Each storm is different. Never assume the next one will behave like the last.”
With the Western Pacific entering peak typhoon season, experts are urging residents to stay updated on weather bulletins and prepare emergency kits. The combination of tropical systems, enhanced monsoons, and saturated ground makes for a volatile setup, even after a named storm exits the region.
As Typhoon Emong continues to move away from Luzon, the focus now shifts to the aftermath — recovery, ongoing rains, and watching the next potential storm on the horizon.