Flood-Prone Areas in the Philippines: Places to Avoid While Driving

Venus Zoleta

Venus Zoleta

Last updated June 22, 2023

The rainy season is here and with it comes the hassle of commuting. Until November, motorists will experience more car breakdowns, traffic jams, and heavily flooded roads. 

The worst-case scenario is when people get injured, leave their property behind, or die due to rising floodwater, falling trees, and lightning strikes. In June 2023, for instance, around 500 families in Barangay Desamparaados, Iloilo City had to evacuate their homes due to knee-level floods caused by Typhoon Betty.[1] 

With all the non-stop rains, it's important to stay in the loop regarding flood-prone areas in the Philippines. You don’t want to get stranded on the road soaking wet and worrying about a potentially damaged car.

Taking note of these areas will also guide you on where to park or pass through when traveling.  

List of Flood-Prone Areas in the Philippines 2023

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Caloocan

Flooding in Caloocan City is usually caused by river overflow, excessive rainfall, and inadequate channel capacity. 

  • Rizal Avenue
  • ITC Compound near General Luis St.
  • General Pio Villanueva St. to Lapu-Lapu St.
  • Roxas St. to Baltazar St., West Gracepark
  • Sabalo St. to Libis Talisay
  • East Gracepark
  • P. Rizal Extension to San Miguel St.

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Las Piñas

Low-lying areas in Las Pinas experience flooding due to rapid urbanization and development where settlements are established in hazard-prone areas. 

  • Naga Road
  • Quirino Avenue
  • Alabang-Zapote Road
  • Tramo Line to Casimiro-Camella Subdivision and F. Santos
  • Tiongquiao Road to CAA

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Makati

The frequency of floods in Makati is attributed to the 16 creeks and canals surrounding the city. 

flood-prone areas in the philippines - makati

  • Carmona
  • Cembo
  • East Rembo
  • EDSA Pasong Tamo
  • EDSA Estrella
  • Magallanes Tunnel
  • Forbes Park
  • Guadalupe Nuevo
  • Kasilawan
  • La Paz
  • Don Bosco
  • Osmeña Skyway
  • Buendia, South Superhighway

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Malabon

Malabon has the lowest natural resilience among all the cities in Metro Manila. Flooding in the city is caused by obstruction of river flow and pollution. 

  • Dagat-Dagatan Avenue Extension
  • Dulong Duhat
  • General Luna
  • Gov. Pascual to Maria Clara
  • Letre near University of the East
  • M.H. Del Pilar to San Vicente
  • P. Aquino to Tonsuya

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Mandaluyong

Mandaluyong has the second-highest resilience to natural disasters. However, the high frequency of flooding in the city is due to settlements in flood-prone areas. 

  • Acacia Lane
  • EDSA Connecticut
  • EDSA–Megamall
  • F. Martinez corner Dela Paz St.
  • F. Ortigas Street
  • Hagdang Bato Ibaba
  • J. Luna near JRU
  • Kalentong near Shaw Boulevard
  • Maysilo Circle
  • New Zaniga
  • Ortigas Avenue near La Salle Greenhills
  • P. Cruz St.
  • Shaw Boulevard Tunnel

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Manila

Typhoons and flooding frequently hit the city of Manila. Flooded areas in Manila can be attributed to a high level of urbanization and the low natural ecosystem level. 

  • España to Lacson
  • Lagusnilad Underpass
  • Maria Clara to Maceda
  • Maceda to Laon-Laan
  • Maceda to Simoun
  • Malvar St.
  • P.Burgos near Manila City Hall
  • Pedro Gil St.
  • Quirino Avenue and Taft Avenue going to Roxas Boulevard
  • Recto to Morayta
  • Rizal Avenue corner R.Papa

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Marikina

Marikina is most vulnerable to the hazards of natural disasters mainly due to its proximity to the Marikina River and settlements established in slopes and flood-prone areas. 

  • Anastasia Village
  • Barangka
  • Concepcion
  • Marikina-Pasig border near LRT Santolan
  • Provident Village
  • Twinville Subdivision

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☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Muntinlupa

High urbanization in Muntinlupa worsens the flooding in the city. Cemented pavements and roads cause stormwater to settle in the city's drainage systems.

  • Arandia St.
  • E. Rodriguez Avenue
  • East Service Road
  • JPA Subdivision
  • M.L. Quezon Road
  • Montillano St. National Road
  • PNR Open Canal Multi-Land
  • PNR Track
  • San Guillermo Road

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Navotas

Navotas has the least exposure to natural disasters among the cities in Metro Manila. However, it still experiences flooding due to its location.

  • Navotas West
  • North Bay Boulevard
  • Sipac
  • Tangos
  • Tanza 1 and 2

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Parañaque

Paranaque has the fifth highest natural resilience to disasters, even if the city’s location makes it prone to typhoons and floods. 

  • Canayan Road
  • Daang Batang
  • East Service Road corner Tanyag
  • Fourth Estate, Sucat Road
  • La Huerta Market
  • NIA Road to Macapal
  • Sucat Road corner C-5 Extension
  • Taft Avenue Extension
  • West Service Road, Merville

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Pasay

Pasay City’s high urbanization rate contributes to its susceptibility to flooding. 

  • Barangay 179 near Maricban Creek
  • Macapagal Ave. near World Trade Center
  • Pasay Taft Rotonda
  • St. Joan St
  • Vitra Subdivision

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Pasig

Pasig City is intensely urbanized. Urban green spaces are estimated at less than 1% of the city’s land area. 

  • C-5 Bagong Ilog
  • C-5 Eagle
  • Floodway
  • Manggahan
  • Rosario
  • Santolan near Marikina-Pasig border and LRT Santolan
  • Joseph and Countryside near SM East

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Pateros

Pateros has a large number of non-permanent structures built in hazardous and flood-prone areas. 

  • E. Mendoza St
  • M. Almeda St. cor. Bagong Calzada
  • San Guillermo
  • Second District
  • Sta. Rosa Bridge

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Quezon City

Flooding in Quezon City is mainly caused by creek overflow and clogged drainages due to improper garbage disposal. 

flood-prone areas in the Philippines - quezon city
  • 18th Avenue corner P. Tuazon
  • Araneta Avenue corner Maria Clara
  • Aurora Boulevard to Harvard St.
  • Biak na Bato
  • Bitoon Circle near Commonwealth Avenue
  • C-3 Sgt. Esguerra
  • Commonwealth Avenue, Visayas Ave.
  • EDSA Muñoz
  • NLEX A. Bonifacio
  • Balintawak
  • Roxas District near Quezon Ave.
  • Scout Tobias corner Timog
  • Tandang Sora near Commonwealth
  • Tatalon near Talayan Creek
  • Tomas Morato corner Scout Lozano

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in San Juan

San Juan also experiences frequent flooding. It's one of the most flood-prone areas in the Philippines. Approximately 10% of San Juan’s land area is deemed unfit for development due to its slopes and proximity to the San Juan River. 

  • Balong Bato
  • Leyva
  • B Sto. Domingo
  • Fernandez St
  • Katubusan
  • San Lorenzo Ruiz near Skyway

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Taguig

Like any other city in Metro Manila, Taguig is also prone to flooding and other natural disasters due to the significant loss of urban green spaces and the development of infrastructures. 

  • Bayani Road near C-5
  • C-5 BCDA
  • C-5 McKinley
  • Ibayong Tipas
  • Lower Bicutan
  • Napindan
  • New Lower Bicutan
  • Wawa

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Valenzuela

Valenzuela is highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards. The city’s Tullahan River is also considered one of the dirtiest rivers in the country. 

  • Mansanas St. to Anonas St
  • MacArthur Highway near Fatima Medical Center
  • Alcanar St. to Mansanas St.
  • Waling-Waling St. to Adelfa St
  • Veinte Reales Creek to Caltex Gas Station
  • H. Del Pilar St.
  • San Guillermo St. to Karuhatan Road
  • Marulas Creek to Tamaraw Hills St.
  • Angeles St. to De Guia St.

Other Flood-Prone Areas in the Philippines

flood-prone areas in the Philippines - Luzon

Venturing outside of Metro Manila? Take note of this list of other flood-prone areas in the Philippines.

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Bataan

  • Hermosa
  • Abucay
  • Balanga
  • Samal
  • Orani
  • Orion
  • Pilar

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Batangas

  • Calaca
  • Cuenca
  • Laurel
  • Lipa City
  • Mabini
  • Mataas na Kahoy
  • Rosario
  • San Juan
  • Tuy

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Bulacan

  • Cristo, Angat
  • Santa Lucia, Angat
  • Bambang, Bulakan
  • Taliptip, Bulakan
  • Iba, Hagonoy
  • Abangan Sur, Marilao
  • Saog, Marilao
  • Bangkal, Meycauayan
  • Caingin, Meycauayan

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Cavite

  • Bacoor
  • Cavite City
  • Kawit
  • Naic
  • Noveleta
  • Rosario
  • Tanza

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

  • Abra
  • Apayao
  • Benguet
  • Ifugao
  • Kalinga
  • Mountain Province

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Laguna

  • Biñan
  • Calamba
  • Dela Paz
  • Pansol
  • San Isidro
  • San Pedro

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Nueva Ecija

  • Aliaga
  • Bongabon
  • Cabanatuan
  • Cuyapo
  • Gapan
  • Guimba
  • Lupao
  • Science City of Muñoz

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Pampanga

  • Balibago, Angeles
  • Castuli, Macabebe
  • Floridablanca
  • Jose Abad Santos Avenue, San Fernando
  • MacArthur Highway, San Fernando
  • Mancantian, Porac
  • Santa Monica, Masantol
  • Sapang Kawayan, Masantol

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Pangasinan

  • Calasiao
  • Dagupan City
  • Bolinao
  • Sual
  • Santa Barbara
  • Mangaldan
  • Laoac
  • Santa Maria
  • Binmaley
  • Agno

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Rizal

  • Gitnang Bayan, Antipolo
  • Marcos Highway, Antipolo
  • Mayamot, Antipolo
  • Villaluz St., Angono
  • Felix Avenue, Cainta
  • Junction, Cainta
  • Karangalan Avenue, Cainta
  • Midtown Village near Pasig-Cainta Border
  • Ortigas Avenue Extension, Cainta
  • Youngstown Village, Cainta
  • Sitio Wawa, Montalban
  • Burgos, Rodriguez
  • Ampid, San Mateo
  • Cecilla St., San Mateo
  • Ciudad Liezel Banaba, San Mateo
  • Felicidad Village, San Mateo
  • Dolores, Taytay
  • Golden City Subdivision, Taytay
  • Tikling, Taytay

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Tarlac

  • Maliwalo
  • San Miguel
  • San Rafael
  • San Sebastian

☔ Flood-Prone Areas in Zambales

  • Botolan
  • Cabangan
  • Castillejos
  • Iba
  • Narciso
  • Olongapo
  • Palauig
  • San Antonio
  • San Felipe
  • San Marcelino
  • Santa Cruz
  • Subic

What Causes Flooding in Flood-Prone Areas in the Philippines?

flood-prone areas in the philippines - what causes flooding

Here are factors that cause certain areas in the Philippines to be prone to flooding:

  • Proximity to river basins - Catch basins are places through which water from other areas flows before reaching river basins. If the drainage system within the catch basin is clogged or inefficient, the water will cause unprecedented flooding. Some of the country's biggest catch basins include Cagayan, Pampanga, Agno, and Bicol. 
  • Inadequate drainage capacity - As mentioned, poorly built and planned drainage systems cause flooding. For instance, flood-prone areas in Manila are mainly due to insufficient drainage at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Pedro Gil, Dapitan Street/Basilio to Casanas Street, and others.
  • Clogged waterways - According to the MMDA, a total of 32 truckloads of trash are being collected from all 57 pumping stations across Metro Manila.[2] These trash block canals and other waterways.
  • Informal settlers - Illegally reclaimed areas along estuaries, such as rivers, can reduce their capacity to hold excess rainwater during typhoons. 
  • Non-stop rains - Non-stop rains from typhoons and habagat contribute to high inflows in dam reservoirs, which leads to opening floodgates and releasing water to low-lying areas. 
  • Illegal logging and agriculture - Cutting trees and planting crops (including the use of herbicide) along mountain slopes cause the death of lush vegetation and the weakening of soil. This is why Cagayan province frequently experiences intense flooding.[3] 

How to Know If an Area is Prone to Flooding

If you plan to drive even when it’s raining, apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you navigate past flooded roads. PAGASA’s General Flood Advisory[4] can also help you keep track of flood-prone areas in the Philippines.

Make sure to stay updated on the weather forecast in your area. Tune in to your favorite news outlet to get the latest weather update or set up a Google News alert.

Read more: Why are NDRRMC Text Alerts Important and How to Get Them?

How Can You Prepare for a Flood?

flood-prone areas in the philippines - how can you prepare for a flood

Make sure that your vehicle has car insurance coverage. If not, shop for providers of the best car insurance in the Philippines. This will secure you financially in case your car gets damaged by floods.

Also, before leaving home or work, check your car from top to bottom, inside and out. Keep road safety driving tips in mind.

Aside from securing your vehicle, consider the following as well:

  • Understand the flood warning system in your area. For Marikina, the authorities raise the first alarm when the water level reaches the 15-meter mark, and the second alarm when the water reaches the 16-meter mark. 
  • Before any disaster, discuss emergency measures with your family. Designate an evacuation area for your family. Check out evacuation centers offered by the government and private organizations. Reach out to authorities early so it won’t be difficult for rescuers to search during the surge. 
  • During a flood, do not attempt to cross flowing rivers, water-covered roads, or bridges. 
  • After a flood, avoid switching on your appliances immediately. Wait for the water to totally subside and for every part of the house to become clean and dry before turning on your house’s main switch. 
  • Keep an emergency bag with extra clothes, toiletries, slippers, and a power bank in case you get stranded. Of course, don’t forget to bring a jacket and umbrella! 

Final Thoughts

Traveling in stormy weather is never ideal. But when you got to go, you got to go. Just stay updated with the news alerts and weather updates, drive carefully, and try to stay dry.

We can never avoid the rain, but we can avoid the hassle it causes. If you’re living in any of the flood-prone areas in the Philippines, understand how you can help mitigate flooding and reduce its impacts on you, your loved ones, and your property. 

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Sources:

Venus has almost 20 years of combined experience in content marketing, SEO, corporate communications, and public relations. Most of her career was spent creating informative articles on personal finance and digital marketing. She also invests in stocks, mutual funds, VUL, and Pag-IBIG MP2. Venus graduated cum laude with a Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman. A hardcore Hallyu Tita, she loves bingeing Korean shows on Netflix while bonding with her cats. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.

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