Carcar City Residents Return Home After Verbena-Induced Flooding
Residents of Carcar City in Cebu are breathing sighs of relief after floodwaters from Tropical Depression Verbena receded on Tuesday morning, November 25, 2025. Mayor Patrick Barcenas confirmed that no casualties or missing persons were recorded despite significant flooding in several low-lying areas.
Historical Flood Zones Affected
In a phone interview conducted on Tuesday, Mayor Barcenas reported that the floodwaters in Barangays Poblacion Uno, Dos, and Tres had completely subsided by early morning. He emphasized that these particular barangays have long been identified as historically vulnerable to flash floods, especially during periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall.
The local government took precautionary measures late Monday night, November 24, by implementing forced evacuations in several low-lying barangays. This proactive decision is credited with ensuring community safety throughout the weather event.
Flood Control System Tested
Mayor Barcenas provided insight into the city's infrastructure performance, noting that the existing flood-control system successfully contained most of the storm runoff. However, he acknowledged a critical issue: unfinished sections of the flood-control project may have allowed excess water to spill into adjacent communities.
As of early Tuesday, affected residents had already begun returning to their homes to assess potential damage and begin cleanup operations. City Hall has not yet released official numbers regarding how many families were evacuated, as emergency responders continue their assessment of impacted households throughout the city.
The incident highlights both the effectiveness of Carcar City's disaster preparedness protocols and the ongoing need to complete critical infrastructure projects to better protect vulnerable communities from future weather disturbances.
