The storm crossed the Visayas region for almost a day , causing widespread flooding . In Cebu and Bohol , struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake two weeks before , cities were also severely devastated . During the morning of November 8 , media stations across the country were able to broadcast live the destruction of Haiyan . However , before afternoon , all communications on the Visayas region failed . The Presidential Communications Department of President Benigno Aquino III had difficulty contacting DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Tacloban City to plan relief . Widespread power interruptions , landslides , and flash floods were also reported . Major roads were blocked by trees , and impassable . 453 domestic and international airline flights were canceled . Some airports were also closed on November 8 and 9 . Ferries were affected . Relief and rescue efforts were underway by November 9 , but some places remained isolated and out of communication due to severe damage . Haiyan tossed up large car-sized boulders , the heaviest of them weighing 180 tons , onto Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar , of which a few were carried uphill 10 meters . This is considered the biggest weight ever moved during a tropical cyclone since record keeping began . The NDRRMC finally confirmed a total of 6300 deaths in the Philippines and total damages were estimated at PHP 181.325 billion or
earthquake
2013 Bohol earthquake
Typhoon Haiyan