Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 66 people and left 26 missing in the central Philippines, with widespread flooding trapping residents on rooftops and sweeping away vehicles.

Six of the fatalities occurred when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur while en route to provide disaster relief.

Cebu province, still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in late September, was hardest hit, prompting a state of calamity declaration as flash floods inundated communities.

Hundreds of thousands were evacuated ahead of the storm, which brought winds of up to 130 kph (81 mph) and gusts up to 180 kph (112 mph), while transportation was heavily disrupted with ferries banned and 186 domestic flights canceled, The Guardian has reported.

The Philippines, prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity, faces recurring natural disasters that regularly threaten lives and infrastructure.