Tropical Cyclone #OpongPH made its first landfall in the Municipality of San Policarpo, Province of Eastern Samar at 11:30 p.m. on September 25, 2025, and barreled through the northern portion of the province, and the central portion of Northern Samar.

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, #OpongPH had intensified into a typhoon the moment it made landfall in San Policarpo.

Strong winds destroyed over 20 houses in Northern Samar and toppled several trees.

Effects of the strong winds and heavy rainfall were evident along the coastal areas of Barangay Laoangan, San Roque town, Northern Samar when #OpongPH made landfall in nearby San Policarpo. The strong gusts of wind and the downpour were felt past midnight.

Barangay officials embarked on roving, or foot patrol, to check on any rise in water level or possible storm surge, and the area where motorbancas were stationed for safety.

“Yung mga bangka dito, pangkabuhayan nila tiningnan natin kung nasa safe na lugar,” said Barangay Laoangan Chairman Alvin Lagrimas.

Lagrimas and his councilmen also checked residents from coastal areas who were evacuated at schools.

Over 50 women and their children were taken to a hotel in the said barangay for safety.

Other evacuees used the function room of the hotel.

The owner of the hotel has given the space almost free of charge to residents as a way of helping neighbors.

“Syempre yung mga bahay nila malapit sa dagat, ganyan may bagyo dito sila pumupunta, kaya ginagawa na lang nila 'to na private evacuation center,” Jomar Tan, a hotel representative, said.

The evacuees are mostly residents near waterways.

“Parang tulong na din to sa amin na malapit sa dagat, tulad po sa amin na taga-Laoangan, yung river at saka yung dagat po, nasa gitna po kami, kinakailangan po talaga na lumikas kami kasi marami din pong mga bata,” Crissa Morillo, a resident, said.

Meanwhile, at least 125 individuals were taken to the barangay hall in Paysud, Palapag town.

“Sa characterization nung hazard, hindi naman kami tinamaan ng eye wall, medyo yung damaged ay slight damage po sa ilang towns like Lope de Vega, San Isidro and San Vicente towns, ito yung track ng bagyo palabas ng Northern Samar,” according to Josh Echano, Northern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head.

No casualty, or injury, was reported after #OpongPH battered the Provinces of Eastern and Northern Samar.

A 60-year-old caimito (star apple) tree was toppled by strong winds in Barangay Makiwalo, Mondragon town.

“Bandang alas dos ng madaling araw, malakas yung hangin, yun natumba, siguro 1960’s pa to, sa byenan ko pa,” said Barangay Makiwalo Councilwoman Editha Cerenado.

Trees fell on the road in Catarman town that hindered momentarily the flow of traffic. Clearing operations began as soon as the weather condition improved.

However, because of strong winds still felt in the area, as of this writing, power supply in Northern and Easten Samar is not restored yet.

In Catarman, business establishments have used generator sets.

“Pagpasok ko kasi dito alas-siete ng umaga, walang kuryente. Sa bahay wala din, kahapon pa. Sana ibalik na yung kuryente,” Manilyn, a store attendant, said.

According to Echano, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has taken preemptive maintenance, checking on possible impact of #OpongPH to its power lines, but vowed power supply will resume within September 26, 2025.

Due to power interruption, telecommunication network signal in Samar Island is also affected.