On 7 November 2013, PAGASA issued Signal No. 5 for the provinces of Eastern Samar and Leyte as Typhoon Yolanda — known internationally as Haiyan — approached the eastern Philippines. It was the first time in recorded history that the highest level of the Philippine typhoon warning scale had been raised. The storm that followed killed more than 6,300 people and remains the deadliest typhoon in Philippine history.
What Is Signal No. 5?
Signal No. 5 was added to the PAGASA wind signal scale in 2015 — two years after Yolanda — to provide a clearer warning for supertyphoon-strength storms. Before 2015, the scale only went up to Signal No. 4. The addition of Signal No. 5 was a direct response to the inadequacy of the old scale in communicating the extreme danger posed by storms like Yolanda.
Signal No. 5 is issued when a typhoon is expected to bring sustained winds of 185 kilometres per hour or higher within 12 hours. At this wind speed, even well-constructed concrete buildings can suffer structural damage. Corrugated iron roofing — the most common roofing material in the Philippines — becomes a deadly projectile. Storm surge, which is a wall of seawater pushed ashore by the typhoon's winds, can reach heights of 5 metres or more in areas directly in the path of the eye.
Typhoons That Would Have Warranted Signal No. 5
Because Signal No. 5 was only added to the scale in 2015, several of the most destructive typhoons in Philippine history occurred before it existed. Based on their recorded wind speeds at landfall, the following storms would have warranted Signal No. 5 under the current scale:
| Typhoon | Year | Landfall Wind Speed | Area Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yolanda (Haiyan) | 2013 | 315 km/h (gusts) | Eastern Visayas, Leyte, Samar |
| Reming (Durian) | 2006 | 240 km/h | Bicol Region |
| Rosita (Halong) | 2018 | 195 km/h | Northern Luzon |
| Rolly (Goni) | 2020 | 225 km/h | Bicol Region |
| Odette (Rai) | 2021 | 195 km/h | Visayas, Mindanao |
What to Do Under Signal No. 5
If Signal No. 5 is raised for your area, there is only one correct action: evacuate immediately. Do not wait to see how strong the storm is. Do not stay to protect your property. The Philippine government's official guidance is unambiguous: mandatory evacuation of all residents in coastal areas, low-lying areas, and areas prone to landslides.
Under Signal No. 5 conditions, no structure except a well-engineered reinforced concrete building is safe. Even inside a sturdy building, stay away from windows and exterior walls. Move to an interior room on the ground floor or the first floor above expected flood level. Bring your Go Bag. Keep your mobile phone charged and your battery-powered radio on for updates.
Storm surge is the greatest killer in a Signal No. 5 typhoon. In Yolanda, the storm surge — not the wind — killed the majority of the victims in Tacloban City. A storm surge of 4–6 metres can inundate entire coastal barangays in minutes, with no time to escape if you have not already evacuated. If you are within one kilometre of the coast and Signal No. 5 is raised, evacuate to high ground immediately.
After Signal No. 5: The Recovery Challenge
A Signal No. 5 typhoon leaves behind a landscape of destruction that can take years to recover from. Power, water, and communications infrastructure may be completely destroyed. Roads may be blocked by debris for days or weeks. In the aftermath of Yolanda, some communities in Eastern Samar and Leyte did not have electricity restored for more than a year.
In the immediate aftermath, the priorities are: locate all family members, treat injuries, find safe drinking water, and make contact with your barangay or LGU to register your status and access relief goods. Do not return to your home until it has been assessed for structural safety. Be alert for secondary hazards including landslides, contaminated water, and leptospirosis.