The recent flooding in parts of the United States caused by a hurricane brought back vivid memories of what I went through during Typhoon Yolanda. The scenes of destruction, homes submerged in water, and lives upended are all too familiar. Having personally experienced such devastation, I know all too well how overwhelming it is to be surrounded by muddy water filled with debris and dangerous materials. It’s not just the immediate physical threat that haunts you, but the knowledge that the disaster could have been mitigated with better preparation and infrastructure.
I remember how, during Yolanda, many of us in Tacloban City felt helpless as the water rose faster than we could react. Houses were swept away, entire neighborhoods drowned, and in the midst of it all, there was the heart-wrenching reality that some of our neighbors and friends wouldn’t survive. It wasn’t just a storm—it was a failure of systems meant to protect us. Much like what I’ve seen in the U.S. today, there are questions to be asked about whether the right steps were taken to prepare and protect people from the inevitable dangers of such powerful storms.
The flooding in the U.S. reminds me of how, in Yolanda’s aftermath, the lack of proper drainage systems, inadequate infrastructure, and delayed government response made the situation far worse than it needed to be. In our case, lives were lost not just because of the storm itself, but because we weren’t prepared. The water that flooded our homes was filled with debris—broken glass, sharp metals, and toxic waste—turning a natural disaster into a man-made tragedy. How many of those deaths could have been avoided if we had been better equipped to handle such a catastrophe?
I see similar patterns in the U.S. floods. While the country might have more advanced technology and resources, it doesn’t mean they are immune to the mistakes we’ve made. Disasters like these expose the weaknesses in any society’s preparedness. Whether it’s the failure to properly maintain flood control systems, the lack of evacuation planning, or simply underestimating the severity of the storm, the consequences of these lapses are all too familiar to me. I understand what it feels like to have trust in the system broken, to watch as the very institutions meant to protect you fall apart in the face of disaster.
What strikes me most about both situations is how quickly things can spiral out of control when people aren’t properly informed or given the tools to protect themselves. In the case of Yolanda, many of us didn’t fully understand the scale of the storm or what a storm surge could mean. In the U.S. floods, I imagine many families were caught off-guard, thinking that their homes would be safe or that the storm wouldn’t be as bad as predicted. When the water starts rushing in, there’s no time left for second-guessing.
It also reminds me of the dangers that lurk in floodwaters—something many people don’t immediately realize. During Yolanda, we had to wade through dirty, debris-filled water, not knowing if we’d step on something sharp or come into contact with harmful chemicals. Floodwaters are not just water; they are a mix of sewage, hazardous materials, and debris that can cause infections and injuries. I’m sure that the people in the U.S. are facing the same hidden dangers, and it’s terrifying to think how easily someone could be hurt simply trying to find safety.
Looking back, I believe that better planning, more resilient infrastructure, and clearer communication could have saved lives during Yolanda, and the same is true for the U.S. today. We can’t stop hurricanes from happening, but we can take steps to minimize their impact. It’s not just about reacting after the fact, but about investing in prevention—building stronger flood barriers, ensuring communities are educated about the risks, and having emergency response systems in place that work when needed.
The lesson is clear: we need to take these warnings seriously and be proactive in protecting communities from the devastating effects of floods and hurricanes. Both in my experience with Yolanda and in watching the U.S. floods, the cost of inaction is far too high. Governments, local leaders, and individuals must come together to improve infrastructure, enforce stricter building codes, and ensure that disaster preparedness isn’t an afterthought. We hope to prevent future tragedies and keep people safe.
