Haiyan struck the central Philippines with one-minute sustained winds estimated near 315 km/h, among the highest ever measured at landfall. In Tacloban, the storm surge funnelled into San Pedro Bay and swept through the city centre.
Official figures record around 6,300 deaths, with over 1,000 still listed as missing, and roughly 14 million people affected. Survivor accounts repeatedly noted that the word "surge" in warnings did not convey the reality of a wall of water.
The disaster changed disaster communication practice in the Philippines, with warnings now framed in terms of expected water height and comparison to familiar landmarks.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
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