Typhoon is inevitable- a natural disaster, which rich or poor have experienced one way or another. So, do I, the memory I have with typhoon Yolanda is still vivid in my mind as it totally ravaged our humble abode wayback 2013. The country is visited by at least 20 typhoons annually. These typhoons cause billions of pesos worth of damage, claim thousands of lives, and leave a lasting impression on the survivors' brains. Certainly, we can determine which typhoons wreaked the most havoc by using statistics. Below, we have compiled the top 10 strongest typhoon that hit the Philippines.
1. Typhoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan)
Year: 2013
Wind speed: 315 km/h
Rainfall: 281.9 mm
Death toll: 6,300
Damage: ₱95.5 billion
Because of Typhoon Yolanda, many areas were destroyed by storm surges, including Tacloban City. Buildings were wrecked, trees were uprooted, and cars were carried off by waves that reached a height of 19 feet. Many people were taken by surprise, which led to injuries and fatalities. Towns and villages were completely shut off, delaying rescue efforts. Affected neighborhoods had weeks-long power outages.
2. Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai)
Year: 2021
Wind speed: 280 km/h
Rainfall: 272.1 mm
Death toll: 409
Damage: ₱51.8 billion
Typhoon Odette devastated the regions of Visayas and Mindanao. More than nine million people were negatively impacted by the storm, with Bohol and Surigao City suffering the most. The boardwalk at Cloud 9 in Siargao is destroyed, and there are fallen coconut trees. Cagayan de Oro experienced flooding due to river overflows.
3. Typhoon Pablo (International Name: Bopha)
Year: 2012
Wind speed: 280 km/h
Rainfall: 240 mm
Death toll: 1,901
Damage: ₱43.2 billion
Landslides and power disruptions were brought on by Typhoon Pablo when it struck Mindanao's central and southern regions. More than 200,000 homes were damaged, there were over 1,900 fatalities, and almost six million people were affected.
4. Typhoon Glenda (International Name: Rammasun)
Year: 2014
Wind speed: 260 km/h
Rainfall: 200 mm
Death toll: 225
Damage: ₱38.6 billion
Typhoon Glenda was predicted to bring storm surges of up to nine feet before it made landfall. At least 90% of Metro Manila residents lost electricity as a result of downed cables and poles. Residents of the shantytowns were also negatively impacted.
5. Typhoon Ompong (International Name: Mangkhut)
Year: 2018
Wind speed: 285 km/h
Rainfall: 300 mm
Death toll: 134
Damage: ₱33.9 billion
Typhoon Ompong tore through the Philippines' northern region which brought storm surges, landslides, and flash floods. More than 270,000 people were forced to flee their homes in Regions I, II, and III, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the National Capital Region (NCR). Typhoon Ompong weakened as it crossed the Luzon mountains before making landfall on the West Philippine Sea. The typhoon hit Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China from outside the country.
6. Typhoon Pepeng (International Name: Parma)
Year: 2009
Wind speed: 250 km/h
Rainfall: 700 mm
Death toll: 465
Damage: ₱27.3 billion
It was also the year that Typhoon Ondoy devastated numerous areas, including Metro Manila, with severe floods. But just a few days after this catastrophe, Pepeng, another typhoon, devastated the country as well. Pepeng increased the damage caused by Ondoy and had an impact on thousands of families in Pangasinan and the northern part of Luzon. It even engaged with Quedan, an approaching storm (internationally known as Melor). A few days later, the storm impacted the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan as it returned to Luzon.
7. Typhoon Ulysses (International Name: Vamco)
Year: 2020
Wind speed: 215 km/h
Rainfall: Between 228.6 mm and 304.8 mm
Death toll: 102
Damage: ₱20.2 billion
Ulysses brought heavy rains, which even led to the worst flooding in Metro Manila since Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. In addition to strong wind gusts. Even in locations that are not regarded as flood-prone, the water surged swiftly. Dams in Luzon also reached their breaking points. Authorities released water from the dam to prevent dam failure, which caused extensive flooding in several provinces.
8. Typhoon Rolly (International Name: Goni)
Year: 2020
Wind speed: 315 km/h
Rainfall: Between 230 mm and 300 mm
Death toll: 32
Damage: ₱20 billion
Rolly is another typhoon that surfaced in 2020 during the pandemic, began as a tropical depression in Guam's southern region. But as it approached the Philippines, it strengthened into a super typhoon. It brought 315 km/h sustained winds, which caused power outages and flash floods impact on Bicol.
9. Typhoon Pedring (International Name: Nesat)
Year: 2011
Wind speed: 215 km/h
Rainfall: More than 350 mm
Death toll: 98
Damage: ₱15.6 billion
The most severely damaged areas of typhoon Pedring were on Luzon, including Metro Manila, Albay, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Pangasinan, Catanduanes, Batangas, Cavite, and Pampanga. Flash floods and powerful winds from Typhoon Pedring also damaged buildings and disrupted power.
10. Typhoon Lando (International Name: Koppu)
Year: 2015
Wind speed: 240 km/h
Rainfall: More than 300 mm
Death toll: 62
Damage: ₱14.4 billion
Typhoon Lando relocated more than 100,000 people, killed 62 people, and severely damaged coastal communities. Due to Aurora's catastrophic damage, Dilasag and Dinalungan are inaccessible. Power disruptions were reported in at least nine provinces. In addition to severe winds, the country saw torrential rains, with the highest concentrations around the western coastal areas.
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