The Province of Northern Samar is placed under a state of calamity.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan, in a post on his official social media page, has put Northern Samar under a state of calamity after widespread flooding because of the severe impact of the shear line in Eastern Visayas since November 18, 2023.

"Under the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and with the authority granted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, I hereby declare the entire Province of Northern Samar to be in a State of Calamity. This declaration is in response to the severe impact of heavy rainfall, resulting floods, and extensive damage to infrastructure and crops," Governor Ongchuan's post on November 21, 2023 read.

As of November 21, 2023, around 3,000 residents sought refuge at the gymnasium's Sumoroy Hall where they were provided basic necessities, medical aid, and sanitary facilities.

The massive flooding rendered roads impassable, including Dancalan Bridge, and Naperes Bridge in San Roque, a portion of the national highway in Lope de Vega, and Catarman which had become isolated.

Rescue operations were conducted in heavily flooded areas such as Barangays Narra, Ipil-ipil, Molave, and Yakal in Catarman, among other nearby barangays. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 8 team announced of 14,000 family food packs for the heavily affected local government units set for distribution on November 22, 2023.