Strongest Typhoon in the Philippines - Most Destructive Typhoons
by Krishika M
Updated Apr 19, 2023
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Strongest Typhoon in the Philippines
Typhoons, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones are all names for the same type of weather phenomenon, which is a rotating system of winds with sustained speeds of at least 119 kilometers per hour. These natural disasters are among the most destructive in the world, capable of causing extensive damage and loss of life in just a short period. The severity of a typhoon can be worsened by other factors, such as heavy rainfall, storm surges, floods, landslides, and tornadoes.
While typhoons occur in the western Pacific Ocean, hurricanes typically occur in the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern north of the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, tropical cyclones happen in the Indian and South Pacific oceans.
In the Philippines, the average number of typhoons per year is 16, with the season running from April to November, and the most potent ones hitting between August and September. Areas frequently affected by typhoons include Central Luzon, Bicol, and CALABARZON regions, which have experienced devastating impacts in the past.
The Philippines has been a vulnerable target for typhoons due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the presence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The country has developed disaster risk reduction and management plans to mitigate the impacts of typhoons, such as early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements.
Top 10 Strongest Typhoons in the Philippines
Here is the list of the top 10 strongest typhoons in the Philippines:
1
Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda
315
2
Typhoon Rai or Odette
280
3
Typhoon Bopha or Pablo
280
4
Typhoon Rammasun or Glenda
260
5
Typhoon Mangkhut or Ompong
285
6
Typhoon Parma or Pepeng
250
7
Typhoon Vamco or Ulysses
215
8
Typhoon Goni or Rolly
315
9
Typhoon Nesat or Pedring
215
10
Typhoon Koppu or Lando
240
S.No.
Typhoons
Wind speed (km/hr)
1. Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda (315 km/hr)
In November 2013, the Philippines experienced one of the strongest and most devastating typhoons in its history, known as Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan.
With a wind speed of 315 kilometers per hour, Yolanda caused massive destruction and loss of life, with over 6,300 people losing their lives and P95.5 billion in damage costs. The storm surge that hit Tacloban City was particularly devastating, catching many residents off guard and causing extensive damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure.
The aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda underscored the need for better disaster preparedness and response strategies in the face of extreme weather events. The Philippine government and international aid organizations worked to provide relief and support to affected communities, including food, shelter, and medical assistance. However, the scale of the disaster and its impact on vulnerable communities highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to improve disaster management strategies, including early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements designed to withstand extreme weather events
2. Typhoon Rai or Odette (280 km/hr)
In 2021, Typhoon Odette, also known as Typhoon Rai, brought significant damage and loss of life to the Visayas and Mindanao regions of the Philippines.
With a wind speed of 280 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Odette made landfall in Bohol and Surigao City, causing P51.8 billion in damage costs and a death toll of 409. The typhoon's impact was particularly severe in Cagayan de Oro City, where overflowing rivers caused massive flash floods across the city.
The aftermath of Typhoon Odette highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and response in the face of extreme weather events. The Philippine government and international organizations have been working to improve disaster management strategies to minimize the impact of such events in the future. These efforts include early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements designed to withstand extreme weather events.
3. Typhoon Bopha or Pablo (280 km/hr)
In 2012, Typhoon Bopha, also known as Typhoon Pablo, brought extensive damage and loss of life to Mindanao.
With a wind speed of 280 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Bopha made landfall in three separate locations, including Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, and Palawan. The typhoon caused power outages and landslides in Mindanao, resulting in 1,900 deaths and P43.2 million in damages.
Despite the devastation caused by Bopha, the resilience and strength of the Filipino people shone through in the aftermath of the disaster. Communities rallied together to provide support and assistance to those affected, and reconstruction efforts were launched to rebuild homes, schools, and other critical infrastructure. The experience of Bopha has helped to inform disaster risk reduction efforts in the Philippines and around the world, highlighting the importance of preparedness, resilience, and community engagement in responding to natural disasters.
4. Typhoon Rammasun or Glenda (260 km/hr)
In 2014, Typhoon Rammasun, also known as Typhoon Glenda, brought significant damage and loss of life to some parts of Visayas and Luzon.
With a wind speed of 260 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Rammasun caused extensive damage, resulting in 225 deaths and P38.6 million in damage. The typhoon caused widespread power outages, with downed lines and poles affecting 90% of Metro Manila residents.
One of the most significant impacts of Typhoon Rammasun was the power outages it caused in Metro Manila. Over 90% of residents in the capital city experienced power disruptions due to downed power lines and poles. The typhoon also caused landslides and flooding, resulting in 225 deaths and P38.6 million in damages.
5. Typhoon Mangkhut or Ompong (285 km/hr)
In 2018, Typhoon Ompong, also known as Typhoon Mangkhut, brought widespread destruction to Luzon, displacing over 270,000 people and causing significant damage and loss of life.
With a wind speed of 285 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Ompong caused landslides, storm surges, and flash floods, resulting in 134 deaths. The typhoon was responsible for P33.9 billion in damage, with many homes, businesses, and public buildings destroyed or severely damaged by the storm.
The impact of Typhoon Ompong highlights the need for disaster preparedness and response, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events. The Philippine government, along with international organizations, has been working to improve disaster management strategies to minimize the impact of such events in the future. These efforts include early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements designed to withstand extreme weather events.
6. Typhoon Parma or Pepeng (250 km/hr)
In the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, Typhoon Pepeng brought another wave of destruction to Luzon, with particularly devastating impacts felt in Pangasinan, Ilocos, and Cagayan. The typhoon interacted with another incoming typhoon, Melor or Quedan, exacerbating the damage caused by the storms.
Typhoon Pepeng had a wind speed of 250 kilometers per hour, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The typhoon was responsible for 465 deaths and caused an estimated P27.3 billion in damage.
7. Typhoon Vamco or Ulysses (215 km/hr)
In 2020, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ulysses, also known as Typhoon Vamco, while still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The typhoon brought sustained winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour, causing significant damage and loss of life across the country.
Typhoon Ulysses was responsible for 102 deaths and caused an estimated P20.2 billion in damage. The typhoon brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Many homes, businesses, and public buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by the powerful winds and floods.
8. Typhoon Goni or Rolly (315 km/hr)
In 2020, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Rolly, also known as Typhoon Goni, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility as a super typhoon. With wind speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour, the typhoon caused significant damage and loss of life, particularly in the Bicol region.
The impact of Typhoon Rolly was severe, resulting in 32 fatalities and causing an estimated P20 billion in damage. The typhoon brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, triggering landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure damage. Many homes, businesses, and public buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by the powerful winds.
9. Typhoon Nesat or Pedring (215 km/hr)
In 2011, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Pedring, also known as Typhoon Nesat, two years after the devastating Typhoon Ondoy. The typhoon made landfall in Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the Philippines, bringing with it sustained winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour. The impact of the typhoon was severe, resulting in flash floods, infrastructure damage, and power outages that affected many residents of Luzon.
The damage caused by Typhoon Pedring was extensive, estimated at P15.6 billion, with 98 lives lost. The typhoon brought heavy rainfall, which triggered landslides and caused rivers to overflow, leading to flash floods that inundated low-lying areas. Many buildings, including homes, schools, and businesses, were destroyed or severely damaged by the powerful winds.
10. Typhoon Koppu or Lando (240 km/hr)
In 2015, a powerful typhoon known as Lando, also referred to as Typhoon Koppu, made landfall in the province of Aurora, Philippines, causing significant damage to the coastal areas. The typhoon was responsible for the loss of 62 lives and caused P14.4 billion worth of destruction. With winds reaching 240 kilometers per hour and an intense rainfall of over 300 mm, the typhoon left a trail of devastation in its path.
The province of Aurora was particularly vulnerable to the impact of the typhoon due to its location on the eastern coast of Luzon island. The powerful winds and heavy rains caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The damage caused by Lando was so severe that it took years for the affected areas to fully recover.
The devastation caused by Typhoon Lando/Koppu underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and response. The Philippine government, along with various international organizations, has been working to improve disaster management strategies to minimize the impact of such events in the future.
What is the Strongest Typhoon in the Philippines?
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) provided a different estimate for Typhoon Haiyan's wind speed, measuring it at 315 km/h (196 mph) based on one-minute sustained winds. This figure was not officially recognized, but it would make Haiyan one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record in terms of wind speed.
However, this record was later surpassed by Hurricane Patricia in 2015, which had one-minute sustained winds of 345 km/h (214 mph). It is essential to note that while wind speed is a crucial factor in measuring the strength of a typhoon or hurricane, it is not the only determinant of its destructive potential. Other factors such as the size of the system, its track, and its duration also play a significant role in determining the extent of its impact on an area.
What is the No 1 Biggest Typhoon in the World?
Typhoon Tip, which occurred in 1979, is recognized as the most extensive tropical cyclone in history. Its winds spread to a diameter of 1,380 miles (2,220 km) at its peak strength, which is almost equivalent to half the size of the contiguous United States.
Typhoon Tip was a tropical cyclone that formed in the western Pacific Ocean in October 1979. It quickly intensified, becoming a typhoon and reaching its peak strength on October 12th. At its strongest, Tip had one-minute sustained winds of 305 km/h (190 mph), which is tied with Typhoon Haiyan for the strongest winds ever recorded in a tropical cyclone.
However, Tip was not just a record-breaker in terms of wind speed. It was also the largest tropical cyclone ever observed, with a diameter of approximately 2,220 km (1,380 miles) at its peak. To put this in perspective, that's nearly half the size of the contiguous United States.
Fortunately, despite its massive size and strength, Typhoon Tip did not cause significant damage or loss of life. It remained over open waters for much of its life cycle and gradually weakened as it moved northeastward. Nevertheless, Tip's record-breaking size and strength remain a topic of interest and study in the meteorological community to this day.
Strongest Typhoon in the Philippines - FAQs
The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines is Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, which made landfall on November 8, 2013. It had a one-minute sustained wind speed of 315 km/h and caused catastrophic damage and loss of life in the central Philippines.
The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons each year, with at least 5 of them being destructive. Typhoon season in the Philippines typically lasts from June to November.
Regions in the Philippines that are most prone to typhoons include Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Mimaropa, and CALABARZON. These areas experience the highest number of typhoons and are more vulnerable to their devastating effects.
Aside from Typhoon Haiyan, other deadliest typhoons to hit the Philippines include Typhoon Bopha or Pablo (2012) which caused 1,900 deaths, and Typhoon Uring or Thelma (1991) which caused over 5,000 deaths due to flash floods.
The Philippine government has a comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management plan in place to prepare for typhoons. This includes early warning systems, evacuation plans, stockpiling of relief goods, and prepositioning of rescue teams and equipment in areas at high risk of typhoons.