Maymay damages homes, cuts power in Ilocos Sur

Tropical Depression #MaymayPH made landfall in Ilocos Sur before dawn on Thursday, August 6, 2026, damaging homes, knocking out power in several villages.

Strong winds swept through Ilocos Sur shortly before 1 a.m., causing utility cables to sag onto roads. Repair crews immediately responded to restore service.

A cable repair worker, Christian Calanta, said they acted quickly to prevent prolonged disruptions.

“Malakas kasi ang hangin kaya lumaylay ang kable. Inayos namin agad para may magamit ang mga tao,” he said.

(Strong winds caused the cable to sag. We immediately made repairs so people can have power.)

Barangay officials stayed on duty throughout the night to respond to emergencies.

“Kailangan namin magbantay ngayon,” Pablito Gacusano, a barangay watchman of Darapidap in Candon City, said.

(We need now to keep watch.)

Maymay made landfall in the town of Magsingal at around 2 a.m., damaging the roofs of several houses in Barangay Puro and destroying some fishing boats.

Victor Tabigne, a resident, said his family endured the storm as rainwater entered their home.

“Nasira mga bubong namin. Hindi kami nakatulog, nabasa kami, pumapasok ang tubig,” Tabigne said.

(Our roof got damaged. We could not sleep, we got wet, the water got in.)

Power outages also affected several communities. As of noon, electricity had yet to be restored in eight barangays in Magsingal.

Aileen Pagay, a resident, described the hardship caused by the outage.

“Walang kuryente simula kagabi hanggang ngayon. Mahirap,” she said.

(There was no power since last night until now. It's difficult.)

Assistant Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dianna Ceria said power had already been restored in many areas.

“Kaninang umaga maraming barangay ang walang kuryente, pero ngayon, as of 12:03 [noon], walong barangay na lang ang walang kuryente,” she said.

(This morning a lot of homes had no electricity, but now, as of 12:03, only eight barangays have no power.)

In Barangay Borono, Tagudin, floodwaters reached knee level before subsiding after several hours.

Authorities continued clearing operations across the province as fallen trees blocked roads. A total of 67 families were evacuated to evacuation centers, while strong waves continued to batter coastal communities. Floodwaters also submerged some rice fields.

Provincial disaster officials said they are closely monitoring the Amburayan River, where water levels have continued to rise.

Ilocos Sur Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhon Arquelada said the river has already reached warning levels.

“Ang nakita namin na may pagtaas ng tubig, actually nasa yellow and orange warning, ay ang Amburayan River, 'yung sa may Tagudin o malapit sa La Union. So 'yun ang mino-monitor namin kasi tumataas ang level ng water doon sa Amburayan River,” he said.

(We have observed the rise of water levels, those at yellow and orange warnings, is the Amburayan River, the parts at Tagudin or near La Union. That is what we are monitoring since the water level of the Amburayan River has risen.)

Heavy rain and strong winds also hit Narvacan, where rescue equipment remained on standby in case emergency response was needed.

In neighboring Quirino, floodwaters made several roads impassable and damaged a wooden footbridge. Authorities are also monitoring the Abra River as continuous rain raises water levels.

Meanwhile, a landslide struck Barangay Urzadan in Suyo, Ilocos Sur, sending rocks and soil onto a road. Clearing operations were immediately carried out, while residents were advised to remain alert for possible additional landslides. —Jasmin Gabriel-Galban, GMA Regional TV News