Super Typhoon Haima (known locally as Lawin) hit the Philippines on 19 October, leaving 14 people dead and causing widespread damage to the northern part of the archipelago.

Haima made landfall in Cagayan Province on Luzon island, with central winds of 225kph and gusts reaching 315kph. The storm tore through wood and sheet metal homes, brought down power lines and caused damage to crops in the region. Landslides - which accounted for the 14 people who were killed - and debris scattered by the storm also complicated rescue operations by disrupting access to some locations.

The Philippines experiences frequent storms, and there were concerns that the powerful typhoon would follow the devastating example of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 which claimed over 7000 lives. Authorities took pre-emptive action as Typhoon Haima approached, however, evacuating almost 150,000 people to safety.

Super Typhoon Haima caused severe damage to coastal regions of northern Luzon island, particularly in Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, but the capital city of Manila to the south was spared any damage and much of the nation was out of the storm's path.

Typhoon Sarika additionally hit the Philippines mere days before Haima arrived. While Sarika was a weaker storm, it left three dead and 10,000 homeless.