Northern Luzon felt the wrath of Super Typhoon #OfelPH as it made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan, bringing deafening winds and torrential rains that caused widespread damage.

In Cagayan province, #OfelPH destroyed bridges, farms, and homes.

Among the areas hit the hardest were the towns of Baggao, Sta. Ana, and Gonzaga.

In Baggao, where the typhoon made landfall, strong winds ripped off the roof of schools and damaged facilities in Sitio Valley Cove, Barangay Sta. Margarita.

In Sta. Ana, authorities worked through the night to rescue residents near swollen rivers after heavy rains caused flooding.

Gonzaga experienced intense flash floods that damaged the San Jose Bridge, washing out its approaches and leaving many vehicles stranded.

Without an accessible route, residents had to walk through rice fields and cross rivers to reach their destinations.

“Mahirap walang masakyan kaya naglakad na lang ako,” Pedro Lameg, a resident, said.

#OfelPH also devastated farmlands, burying crops under logs washed down from the mountains.

Jose Butay, a farmer who lost most of his livestock and crops, expressed his despair:

“Mahirap i-explain, Ma’am. Mga alaga namin ’yan, tapos ’yung palayan namin natabunan din. Bahala na ang Panginoon sa amin.”

Farmers in the Cagayan Valley region face severe losses as crops were damaged by flooding and relentless rain.

Barangay Flourishing in Gonzaga was submerged after the Istaka Dam overflowed.

Strong currents also swept through the Amulung River, and massive waves pounded the shores of Fuga Island in Aparri.

The typhoon's impact was also felt in the Ilocos Region, where heavy rains drenched Laoag City.

SWIFT REPAIRS

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) promised swift repairs.

“'Yung approach ng tulay ang na-washed out. So, I can assure, madali lang ito marestore kasi maraming equipment from DPWH, private sector at LGU. Within the day, matapos ito," Regional Director Mathias Malenab said.

With the weather improving, evacuees were allowed to return home to assess the damage.

Indigenous residents from Barangay Palawig started their early trek back.

“Uuwi na kami, tignan namin ang mga bahay namin kung mayroon pa. Maayos na ang panahon,” Lapu Lapu Imacule, one of the residents headed home, said.

As of this writing, authorities are conducting widespread damage assessment to address the needs of the communities affected.