It was a downcast day on November 10, 2020 — indicative of the incoming tropical cyclone, Typhoon Ulysses which was measured to have wind speeds of over 213 km/hr. Although its path was clearly charted out and had been heavily monitored, no one was able to predict the havoc it wreaked not only upon the 3,685,744 residents living in Brgy. Cabaritan, Brgy. Balza, and Brgy. Leron, but also on public hospitals, schools, and roads/highways as well as private residences and buildings. Moreover the agricultural industry in Cagayan valley was also affected with damages being reported being over 4.21 billion pesos (Morin, Ahmad, & Warnitchai, 2016). Overall, the vulnerability and exposure rating of Cagayan valley at that instant would be a 3 out of 4 as residents were not only left exposed to the elements as the typhoon ravaged their poorly constructed houses (2.41% of houses constructed by metal sheets and wood) and exposed weak spots but the 3,965 elderly and children were also left exposed to possible wind borne and water borne diseases. Moreover, the thousands of open farmlands (31,894 hectares) were subjected to harsh winds and flooding leading to financial loss (746.975 million pesos) (NIA, 2020). It was also observed that before the typhoon the people of Cagayan valley were already particularly vulnerable in areas such as their economics, structures, as well as social relations. It was noted that several buildings, primarily in squatter areas, prior to the typhoon have not been well-constructed or maintained and social relations were not that great as multiple agencies have trouble adapting to new systems of communication. According to Deiparine (2020), before the typhoon hit, Cagayan valley had lacked funding (14.8 million pesos) to properly maintain its flood forecasting and warning systems. Moreover, it was observed that the miscommunication and lack of overall cooperation from the different water management agencies in Cagayan valley left the residents vulnerable to flooding. According to Buan (2020), the Magat Dam was opened prior to the arrival of Typhoon Ulysses which released water as high as 18 meters. This made the land soft and susceptible to soil erosion. All things being considered, the passing of the typhoon left many houses unstable and susceptible to collapse and ruin through land erosion.

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