Thousands flee homes as Tropical Storm Trami batters Philippines

Rescue teams in the Philippines waded through deep floodwaters on Wednesday to help residents trapped by Tropical Storm Trami, which has forced thousands of people to evacuate as it approaches the country's eastern coast. The storm's torrential rains have caused severe flooding, transforming streets into rivers, submerging entire villages, and burying cars in volcanic debris that has been loosened by the downpour.

In northern parts of the Philippines, at least 32,000 people had fled their homes, according to police reports, as the storm moved closer to Luzon, the country's main island. The Bicol region, located about 400 kilometers southeast of Manila, was particularly hard hit, with "unexpectedly high" floodwaters complicating rescue efforts, according to regional police spokeswoman Luisa Calubaquib. Rescue teams encountered difficulties entering some areas due to the strong currents and high water levels.

By 8:00 a.m. local time, the national weather agency reported that Trami's center was located 310 kilometers east of Aurora province, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour. Verified photos showed streets in the Bato municipality of Camarines Sur province submerged in muddy water, with only the rooftops of homes and small businesses still visible.

"It's getting dangerous. We're waiting for rescuers," said Karen Tabagan, a resident of the affected area. In Naga City, about 40 kilometers from Bato, half of the city's 600 villages were reported to be entirely flooded.

During an emergency meeting with government agencies, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos expressed concern, warning that "the worst is yet to come." He acknowledged the limitations of the response, saying, "All we can do is sit tight, wait, hope, and pray that there is not too much damage and no casualties."

Around 2,500 evacuation centers have been set up across the Bicol region to shelter the displaced families. In addition to the flooding, the Bicol region also experienced lahar flows—volcanic sediment and debris carried by water—coming from the Mayon volcano, further worsening the situation.

The Philippines is regularly hit by around 20 major storms and typhoons each year, which often lead to widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life.