Typhoon Phanfone

Typhoon Phanfone, known locally as Typhoon Ursula, has left at least 28 people dead and 12 people missing. The storm made landfall in the central province of Samar and headed west with maximum winds of 140 kph (89 mph). Our thoughts are with all those affected.

The storm caused widespread property damage and stranded many people in sea and airports at the peak of holiday travel, set off landslides, flooded low-lying villages, destroyed houses, downed trees and electrical poles and knocked out power in entire provinces.

Phanfone weakened as it blew into the South China Sea with sustained winds of 74mph and gusts of 93mph, after lashing island after island with fierce winds and pounding rain on Christmas Day.

The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined as power and communications in several areas remain cut off. Some tourist areas, including the popular resort island of Boracay, were also damaged. The nearby Kalibo International Airport was temporarily closed and flights cancelled after the typhoon damaged the roof of the terminal building.

Our operation in the Philippines has started to receive instructions locally and has started to respond to the increased volume of claims. We will monitor the situation over the next few days and provide further updates as appropriate.

Asia

Alasdair Carnduff
Technical Adviser
M: +63 917 536 4790
E: alasdair.carnduff@crawford.asia

Mike Campbell-Pitt
President, Asia
T: +852 2101 0921
M: +852 6292 7300
E: mike.campbellpitt@crawford.asia

Scott Reichelt
Managing Director, GTS & CFAS, Asia
T: +65 6632 8699
M: +65 9733 5702
E: scott.reichelt@crawford.asia

Simon Shaw
Technical Director, GTS
T: +65 6632 8634
M: +65 9834 7667
E: simon.shaw@crawford.asia

London

Andrew Bart
Global President
Crawford Global Technical Services
T: +44 207 265 4096
M: +44 7802 591 040
E: andrew.bart@crawco.co.uk

Benedict Burke
Chief Client Officer
Global Client Development
T: +44 207 265 4041
M: +44 7919 552624
E: benedict.burke@crawco.co.uk