Typhoon Aghon battered Quezon province with ships nearly swept away in Mauban and floodwaters exceeding human height in Lucena City.

In Mauban, strong winds and waves nearly swept a ship away from the pier. Several boats were smashed and sank while the sea level almost reached rooftops.

In Lucena City, floodwaters reached the second floor of houses and strong winds almost pulled power cables off from posts. 

On May 27, 2024, the city declared a state of calamity.

In a video captured by a resident in Barangay Marketview, some houses could be seen nearly submerged in floodwaters morning on May 26, 2024.

Fallen trees blocked roads, hindering vehicle movement, while roofing materials flew around.

Amid the strong winds and flooding, police used ropes to rescue over 20 residents, including children. They were brought safely to evacuation centers.

Floodwaters inundated some rice fields that a farmer, Julianito Arigon, had to use a raft to rescue his buffalo. 

"Kelangan ko po talaga siya dahil ‘yun lang ang inaasahan ko sa trabaho. Mahirap kapag wala ‘yun. Susubok ako talaga na mailigtas siya," Arigon said.

In Pagbilao, Quezon, strong winds tore roofs off houses and disrupted power supply. 

Parts of Barangay Del Pilar in Lopez, Quezon, were also flooded heavily.

AFTERMATH

Anita de Chavez, 61, could only hope they had proper drainage. She and other residents in Sitio Aplaya, Barangay Bignay Uno started their day on May 27 cleaning their surroundings of what the typhoon has left. 

"Hindi naman po namin sukat akalain na nung ganoong oras ay ganiyan ang mangyayari sa amin. Sana naman po magawa na ang aming kanal," De Chavez said.

Barangay officials said they will survey what needs to be fixed in the area.

"Ipatatawag ko pa po ang aking Sanggunian sa panahon ngayon at nang amin pong isu-survey na dapat namin ayusin doon. Wala na po kaming matakbuhan, pinalilikas ko man po sila, ayaw din naman po nila at marami pong silang gamit na maiiwan," Rickson del Rosario, Barangay Captain of Bignay Uno, said.

Evacuating residents in the entire Quezon province has been challenging, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). 

They advised the public to be cooperative.

"Makipagtulungan na po tayo, kaya po may pre-emptive evacuation, alam ‘yan ng mga responders natin na magiging ganoon kalaki ang epekto. Sumunod na po tayo para hindi na lumala pa ang sitwasyon," Mhel Avenilla, Quezon PDRRMO Officer, said.

Damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Typhoon Aghon in the province is still being assessed, as of this writing.

(with reports from Denise Abante and Paul Hernandez, GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog)