Typhoon Rai

Upon the system's intensification into a tropical depression, a typhoon watch was issued by the US National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, in Koror and Kayangel while a tropical storm warning was placed for Ngulu Atoll. The island of Yap was placed also under tropical storm watch.[47] This was further upgraded into a typhoon warning for Palau as Rai further intensifies.[48] The alerts for Ngulu and Yap were first canceled by 09:00 UTC of December 14 and six hours later, the typhoon warning were also canceled for Palau.[49][50]

Typhoon Rai approaching the Philippines on December 15.

PAGASA began issuing Tropical Cyclone Advisories as early as December 12 given the forecasted track of the storm. In its first advisory, PAGASA forecasted the possibility of Signal #4 being raised over the Visayas and Mindanao regions, later lowered to Signal #3.[51][52] The PAGASA also forecasted winds of up to 155 km/h (96 mph) prior to landfall.[53] On December 14, storm signals were raised in Caraga and Eastern Visayas as the storm entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.[54] Starting on the night of December 13, land travel on bound to Visayas, Mindanao, the province of Masbate and Catanduanes were canceled according to an approved request of the Office of the Civil Defense in the country. The Land Transportation Office also placed the same travel restrictions in Mindanao and Luzon as a precaution. All types of vessels are also prohibited to leave the country's ports if there are any storm signals raised. Fishermen living near coastal areas were also urged by the country's coast guard to leave their homes "as soon as possible". Other Philippine provinces like Bohol and Aklan were also prepared for possible work cancelations and evacuation premises in regards to the storm. Floating cottages in General Santos, as well as fishing boats were brought to shore and safety. The vaccination operations across the possible affected areas were earlier suspended by December 20–22.[55][56] Over 23,642 food packs for evacuees were also readied by the country's Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), over 18,665 non-edible items as well as over ₱752,250 (US$14,950) worth of standby funds.[57] The airline carrier Cebu Pacific also suspended three flights in the country.[58]

Over 12,000 individuals in barangays across Mindanao, Visayas, and further north into Southern Luzon were also urged by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to immediately leave their homes. The whole of Bicol Region was also under red alert starting on December 14. The higher authorities there also warned its people of possible landslides and lahar flow from the Mayon Volcano. Cebu was also under a "state of preparedness" due to the storm. Furthermore, many individuals, of which the majority are going into the Bicol Region in the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) were also stranded due to ferry suspensions. Capiz already started voluntary evacuations at this time, first focused on people living in coastal areas.[59] Liloan, Cebu also initiated forced evacuations by the afternoon of December 15. Several flights into Visayas and Mindanao from Ninoy Aquino International Airport were also delayed, rescheduled, and/or canceled, mainly from the earlier Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Airasia. Some face-to-face classes in the affected areas were also halted. Many billboards in Bohol were also removed and the annual Binirayan festival in Antique was canceled due to Rai.[60] The city of Surigao was already soaked by the rains of Odette by the afternoon of December 15, including the whole of Eastern Visayas. Thousands of evacuees rushed into safety shelters in the area whereas in one case, they became full. Sandbags were also placed over some houses in Tacloban City in Leyte and many individuals rushed into a grocery store in Alangalang to stock up on essential supplies.[61]

Four hours after, Rai entered the PAR, PAGASA started to hoist Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1 for southeastern Eastern Samar and over the Surigao provinces, including the Dinagat Islands.[62][63] This was further extended into some provinces in the Central Visayas and further south of Mindanao, until Agusan del Sur.[64] Signal #2 were further placed for the Surigao provinces and further into some parts of Visayas as Odette further intensified into a typhoon, with Signal #1 spreading further into the remaining part of the region and Mimaropa and Southern Tagalog provinces.[65][66] The storm's further intensification led to PAGASA raising the Signal #3 warning in some portions of Caraga and as Rai underwent rapid intensification, into eastern Visayas before Signal #4 was raised in those areas.[67][68]

On December 15, militants of the New People's Army attacked troops evacuating residents in Surigao del Sur prior to the storm, killing three civilians.[69] On December 16, the PAGASA raised the signal in western Bohol, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao to Signal #4. 9,720 thousand were evacuated as Typhoon Rai made landfall.[70] Following Rai's impact, around 332,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in total as of December 17.[71]

As Rai approached Vietnam after clearing the Philippines, officials held a meeting in which more than 243,254 houses across eight Vietnamese provinces were identified as "unsafe", while rice crops were harvested by farmers in preparation for the storm.[72][73] Vietnam Airlines' flight operations were also halted due to the typhoon, while marine equipment, particularly fishing boats, were moved onto shores as a precautionary measure.[74][75] Lý Sơn Island also prepared to evacuate over 7,800 individuals. Towing vessels were also readied in case of marine emergencies over the South China Sea. Medicine and food packs were also prepared while houses over the areas that are foreseen to be affected by Rai were secured.[76] 305,000 individuals were also readied to be evacuated from Quảng Bình to Bình Thuận. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough waves were also forecasted.[77]

In Macau, the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the typhoon warning signal number one in the early hours at 3AM on 20 December 2021 (MST).[78] In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the number 1 tropical cyclone signal at 11:20AM (HKT) on 20 December 2021, as Typhoon Rai approached the territory. Rai is the first typhoon on record to neccistate the issuance of typhoon warning signal in the territory in mid-December, on 20 December 2021, and the second on record in December. The last time such a signal warning was issued in Hong Kong in December was in 1974 as a response to Typhoon Irma.[79][80][81][82][83][84] and was cancelled at 12:20PM HKT the following day.

In China, Blue Typhoon warnings were issued in Hainan and Guangdong Provinces by the China Meteorological Administration.[85]

TCWS or PSWS issued for Rai (Odette), in December 16

Rai caused severe and widespread damage throughout the Southern Philippines, killing at least 409.[95][96][97][98][99][100][101] As of February 7, 2022, the NDRRMC has reported ₱30.3 billion (US$571 million) of infrastructure damages, along with ₱22.3 billion (US$435 million) of agricultural damage and ₱63 million (US$1.2 million) worth of damages to houses, with a combined total of ₱51.8 billion (US$1.02 billion).[87]

Over 100,000 people were moved to higher ground as flooding occurred.[102] Strong winds and heavy rainfall also impacted Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with rough waves bashing the shores of the province, according to a news correspondent of 24 Oras.[103] The same situation was also felt across the entirety of Western Visayas.[104] As Rai impacted Liloan in Southern Leyte, an area there was described as "cut-off", indicating that there was no electricity or means of communications in the place. A GMA News reporter recalling his experience inside the storm reported that the building where his team was sustained considerable damage, comparing it to Typhoon Haiyan in terms of ferocity. Their vehicles also received damage from the storm. After the storm passed over the area, the whole municipality was reported to be isolated.[105][106] Many provinces in Mindanao also were severely affected by the typhoon. In Cagayan de Oro, despite rushing water, rescue teams continued to save many people in their houses from the floods. A house was heavily destroyed by Odette's strong winds in Agusan del Norte while a barge of unknown origins was left stranded by the storm's waves on a shore, still in the province.[107] Storm surge also impacted the coast boulevards of Surigao del Norte while Iligan's Mandulog River overflowed. The incident was a horror to many residents there, due to the same effect Tropical Storm Washi in 2011 brought. Further south, it also caused rough waves over Cateel.[108] The Cagayan de Oro River also overflowed, causing several homes to be near-completely inundated.[109] The first fatality from the storm was reported at Iloilo, where a woman was crushed to death in her house by a bamboo tree.[110]

Satellite animation of Typhoon Rai making landfall in General Luna, Surigao del Norte in the Philippines on December 16.

Surigao City was deprived of electricity and communications due to downed power lines while scores of trees left many roads impassable. Many buildings in the area were also devastated and the overall impact of Rai in the area were described as "widespread". Clean water supply became a problem in the city while almost all coastal houses were destroyed by the typhoon's storm surge. The main wet market of the area was also closed, still due to the effects of the system.[112][113] Authorities are verifying a possible second death due to Rai in the city and a third elsewhere in southern Mindanao. The mayor of Surigao City, Ernesto Matugas also estimated that 100% of the area was devastated due to Odette, also appealing for aid to the government.[114] Aid was also requested by the province of Bohol, where a chief of the area's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) described Rai as the "one of the worst ever for the province". Many areas in the island were severely inundated, including Loboc, among the worst hit. The whole province also lost power services.[115] The governor of the province, Arthur Yap estimated the damages at ₱5 billion ($100 million).[116] A terminal in Siargao Airport was also totally destroyed; the overall island was also wrecked according to the first district representative of Surigao del Norte, Francisco Jose Matugas II.[117] Southern Surigao confirmed a death, while two people died in Bukidnon.[118] Three individuals were killed due to various reasons across Negros Occidental. Numerous houses there were also destroyed by downed trees, with a triage of the Ignacio Locsin Arroyo Memorial District Hospital being wrecked. Some areas in Kabankalan were also inundated due to a river overflowing there.[119] The Philippine National Police (PNP) also listed two people to be unaccounted for from Western Visayas.[120]

Further assessments of the NDRRMC reported at least 12 killed due to the typhoon across the affected areas, while seven people were missing. A briefing with the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte occurred on the night of December 17, where the agency noted that many provinces were also pleading for help, especially Cebu.[122] The governor of Surigao also observed that over 99 percent of individuals of Surigao were affected. Aerial operations were also conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard, where they saw the total devastation of the island. The area were also reported to have been isolated from any means of transportations except for air. The government there also estimated damages to be ₱20 billion ($401 million).[123] The Dinagat Islands were also wrecked due to Rai, with their governor Arlene Bag-ao also requesting aid from the government, and saying the islands was "levelled to the ground". 95 percent of houses were estimated to have lost their roofs, and emergency shelters were destroyed.[124][125][126] Almost all of Visayas have been left without electricity, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).[127] In Negros Occidental, the agricultural damage is estimated at ₱4.45 billion, and damage rose up to ₱5.41 billion from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Works and Highways.[128][129]

At least 332,000 people were evacuated from their homes. The storm affected areas that were still rebuilding from storms late last year.[130] At least 140,000 people were severely affected, with the United Nations estimating 13 million were affected in some way.[131][132] Military-released aerial photos showed General Luna was destroyed by the typhoon.[133] As the ravaged areas were examined, the death toll rose to 75, the majority of which were from Bohol. 12 were further reported by December 19, making the casualty toll at 87 as of that day.[134][135] A landslide also caused the deaths of five people and left six missing, out of 11, further raising the toll to 92.[136] The Associated Press, however indicated that over 112 were killed during the storm.[137] 78 marine vessels in Cebu also experienced sea mishaps, according to the PCG, while over 4,000 houses in Southern Leyte were destroyed due to the storm-induced storm surge.[138][139] In northern Palawan, where Rai made its last landfall before clearing the country, many houses were downed and trees obstructed several roadways. Many locations in the province, including the major city Puerto Princesa were left without electricity, water supply and communication signals.[140] 630,000 people were displaced, 438,000 were in 2,841 evacuation centers.[141] At least 41 areas were flooded, 227 municipalities experienced power outages, and 135 saw telecommunication issues. Three days after the storm, 9% were estimated to have their outages fixed, and 70% communication restored.[142] 139,000 houses were damaged, with 54,000 being totally damaged and 82,000 partially.[143]

On Pag-asa Island of the Spratly Islands, some residential houses, schools, and government facilities including the new coast guard station were severely damaged by the typhoon.[144][145]

Animated enhanced infrared satellite loop of Typhoon Rai from peak intensity to making landfall in the Philippines

Rai wreaked havoc across Vietnamese-held isles in the Spratly Islands. An observation tower in Southwest Cay recorded sustained winds up to 180 km/h (110 mph) and a gust of 200 km/h (120 mph) during the afternoon of December 18 before being knocked down. The storm destroyed 500 square meters (5,400 sq ft) of civilian house tiles, 27 solar batteries, 400 square meters (4,300 sq ft) of farmland, and knocked down 90% of the trees on the island; no casualties were reported there.[146][147] Rai began to batter the Central Vietnamese coast at night, with winds in several provinces averaging 65–90 km/h (40–56 mph). Heavy rainfall was unleashed on Thừa Thiên – Huế to Khánh Hòa, with reports showing an average of 100–200 mm (3.9–7.9 in) of rainfall; some places recorded up to 300 mm (12 in) of rain.[148] In Nghệ An province, two crew members of a fishing vessel were reported missing in the waters off Bạch Long Vĩ Island.[77]

On December 19, one person (fisherman) was reported dead in Tuy Phong, five ships were capsized and three others were damaged off the coast of Bình Thuận.[149] Rough storm waves damaged and destroyed 90 lobster herds on Bình Hưng Island, Cam Ranh, where losses is estimated to be more than 384 billion VND ($16 million).[150][151]

Social media coverage of the typhoon was much less than expected the day after Rai.[132] Possible effects from the newly emerged COVID-19 Omicron variant were feared to be worsened by the typhoon's effects.[152] The DSWD further elaborated that over ₱900 million ($18 million) worth of standby funds were already prepared for the people affected by Odette.[153] Food and water was sparse for those impacted by the storm.[154] The storage of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine kits were also feared to be disrupted due to power outages.[127] While there were reports of vaccine wastage due to the typhoon, the Department of Health assured that the impact of the typhoon was minimal.[155] Immediately after the storm, presidential aspirants for the 2022 elections set up relief and recovery operations for the victims of the storm, particularly in Samar and Leyte provinces.[156][157] Major telecommunication networks in the country reported communication disruptions in Visayas and Mindanao but assured that their respective teams are trying to restore services.[158][159] Other local government units sent aid to the areas severely affected by the typhoon.[160][161][162]

On December 17, the provinces of Cebu and Bohol were placed into a state of calamity due to widespread damages.[163][164] Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will tour Leyte, Surigao, Bohol and Cebu to check the situation there.[123][165] Recovery funds up to ₱2 billion ($40 million) were promised by the national government for the affected areas of the storm. Duterte started to tour Surigao City, Siargao, Maasin, and Dinagat Islands on December 18.[166][167] Aid teams were not able to enter into certain affected areas due to waterlogging, debris, and other obstacles.[168] Thousands of emergency personnel were deployed.[169] 2 people died of dehydration after Rai passed.[170] Catholic Bishops in the country declared Christmas Day and December 26 as national days of prayer and mourning for Rai's victims.[171] The government's promise for 35,000 food packs took longer than expected to arrive, and was found to not be enough for people affected. Days later in Bohol, power outages still ranged in the millions. The provinces governor, Arthur Yap, feared the situation could worsen due to a lack of a contingency fund, with supplies of necessities running dry. Looting as a potential problem also rose among affected populations.[172]

News coverage regarding the impacts of Rai was limited in the days after the typhoon struck, a fact partly attributed to the shutdown of the regional news stations of media network ABS-CBN,[173][174] which had earlier been denied a renewal of its congressional franchise.[175][176] With internet service knocked out and mobile phone networks brought down in the wake of the typhoon,[177] news from the typhoon-hit areas was very limited in the critical first days after the disaster.[132]

After Rai hit the Philippines, the governments of Canada, China, the United Kingdom, European Union, South Korea, Singapore, Japan and the United Nations had so far announced their intention to assist the country.[178]

•  United States: Provided 20,000 food rations to affected areas, 19 trucks for relief operations, and logistics assistance.[179]
•  China: Sent 20,000 food packs worth ₱8 million (US$162,436.55) and 4.725 million kilograms of rice to typhoon-stricken areas in the country.[180]
•  European Union: Provided an initial €1.7 million (₱96 million) for the victims of Typhoon Rai.[181]
•  South Korea: Provided $2,000,000 in immediate funds to support people affected.[182]
•  Singapore: Provided US$50,000 via the Singapore Red Cross Society, with the Singaporean government contributing another US$60,000 (which also went towards relief efforts on the floods in Malaysia).[183][184]
•  Japan: Provided emergency assistance packs consisting of generators, sleeping mattresses and pads, and dome tents via the Japan International Cooperation Agency.[185]
•  United Nations: Provided core relief products including solar lamps, hygiene kits and mosquito nets to the severely impacted islands via the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.[186]

Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged to commit itself to rebuilding communities in both Malaysia and the Philippines while also providing short term relief and recovery efforts.[187]

Due to the extensive damage and high death toll in Visayas and Mindanao, the PAGASA announced that Odette will be stricken from the rotating list of typhoon names, and will never again be used for another typhoon name within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). On March 21, 2022, the PAGASA chose the name Opong as its replacement for the 2025 season.[188][189]

In early 2023, the Typhoon Committee announced that the name Rai, along with two others will be removed from the naming lists. Its replacement name will be announced in 2024.[190]