Renowned American storm chaser Josh Morgerman has once again traveled to the Philippines, this time to document the impact of super typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong).
Morgerman, best known for his daring close encounters with some of the world’s most powerful storms, arrived in Manila on Friday night and made his way to Aurora province, where the super typhoon was expected to make landfall.
“Gonna crash for a few hours, then head N, into Aurora Province, at the crack of dawn to hunt Typhoon FUNG-WONG (a.k.a. UWAN). This one could be a real beast,” he wrote in a social media post on Friday night.
“Honestly, I’m still physically and emotionally exhausted from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica but this is the time of year when I’ve got to bite the bullet and just keep going. Go, go, go,” Josh said, referring to the storm that struck Jamaica.
By Saturday night, Morgerman shared another update: “In Baler in the Philippines for the night. Waterfront hotel. Warm, breezy, just right. Treasuring this moment of calm in the midst of a terrifying two weeks. Typhoon FUNG-WONG lurks offshore. I’ll resume chasing it in the morning. No decision yet on where I’ll ride out the storm. Just enjoying the moment.”
On Sunday morning, he reported worsening conditions in Baler, Aurora, as Typhoon Fung-Wong (Uwan) neared. He captured big waves crashing against the seawall and warned that storm surges could flood the promenade and nearby hotels, including his own.
Morgerman called his spot “dicey” but ideal for observing the typhoon. Later, a strong wave hit him, throwing him against a railing and flooding the hotel restaurant. He suffered only minor injuries and noted that while winds had yet to pick up, the sea was growing rougher as the storm approached.
This isn’t Morgerman’s first time chasing storms in the country. He previously documented several major typhoons in the Philippines, including Pepito (Manyi) in 2024, Rosita (Yutu) in 2018, Tisoy (Kammuri) in 2019, Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2019, and Santi (Nari) in 2013.
Morgerman is the star of the documentary series “Hurricane Man,” which follows his daring expeditions into some of the most dangerous storms around the world.
PAGASA warned that Typhoon Uwan could bring not only strong winds and heavy rains but also life-threatening storm surges and dangerous sea conditions.
As Typhoon Uwan intensified into a super typhoon, Signal No. 5 was raised over parts of Luzon, including Catanduanes, the central portion of Aurora (San Luis, Baler, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao), the Polillo Islands, the northern part of Camarines Norte (including Daet, Vinzons, and Paracale), and the eastern part of Camarines Sur (including Caramoan and Garchitorena).
After landfall, Uwan is expected to cross Northern Luzon and exit via Lingayen Gulf or the coastal areas of Pangasinan or La Union, remaining a typhoon despite some weakening.
