When it rains, it pours.
It seems that ever since summer ended, it feels like we’ve been experiencing less sunlight and more rainfall. That’s just how our climate operates. Over the years, the Philippines have suffered a series of strong typhoons. Not only did they strike fear into the people below the storm, but they also caused thousands of lives, and billions of damage, leaving a traumatic mark in the memories of survivors. And seeing these storms ahead of us, we’ve been getting flashbacks from all the worst typhoons we once experienced.
After collecting the data we need, there’s been a recorded Top 10 Strongest Typhoons in the Philippines. The storms on this list are ranked based on wind speed or rainfall.
All of the names on this list were permanently removed or replaced due to they’re reputation of being the worst typhoons and the amount of destruction they caused. PAG-ASA decided to retire the names
10. Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (International Name: Nalgae)
- Year: 2022
- Wind Speed: 100 km/h
- Rainfall: More than 450 mm
- Death Toll: 160
- Damage: Php 17.6 billion
In 2022, a deadly tropical storm with wind speeds of 100 km/h wreaked havoc across the Philippines, and later hit Hong Kong and Macau. The storm claimed the lives of 160 local residents, who were lost to flooding, landslides, swollen rivers, and being buried under rubble.
Reports said that it was barely a week had passed, around 4.8 million individuals were affected all over the country. Provinces in the Western Visayas were severely damaged due to the floods rising as high as the rooftops. Families had to wait above the roofs until help has arrived.
The sheer force of the rain caused the infrastructure to collapse, costing 17.6 billion pesos of damage. And more landslides continued to fall down, increasing the number of fatalities.
9. Typhoon Pedring (International Name: Nesat)
- Year: 2011
- Wind Speed: 215 km/h
- Rainfall: More than 350 mm
- Death Toll: 98
- Damage: Php 15.6 billion
What began as a low-pressure area on the evening of September 21, 2011, east-southeast of Palau, developed into Typhoon Pedring, a deadly storm that struck the Philippines, killing 98 people.
The typhoon primarily affected parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, Albay, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Pangasinan, Catanduanes, and Pampanga. With wind speeds reaching 215 km/h—more than twice the strength of Typhoon Paeng—Pedring destroyed structures, downed power lines, and caused 15.6 billion pesos in damage.
Pedring was one of two typhoons that struck the Philippines within the same week. Its counterpart, Typhoon Quiel, resulted in 18 fatalities.
8. 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: Php 20.2 billion
In the midst of the global epidemic COVID-19, could it get any worse? Unfortunately, it could, as Typhoon Ulysses entered the Philippines skies. With heavy rainfall reaching up to 304.8 mm, Metro Manila has once again faced extreme flooding since Typhoon Ondoy in 2011. Water levels rose rapidly, even in areas not typically prone to flooding, raising concerns.
Ulysses also caused dams across Luzon to overflow, putting them at risk of failure. To prevent further dam failure, authorities released the water from the dam, which then eroded existing riverbeds and beaches, flooding multiple provinces.
7. Typhoon Pepeng (International Name: Parma)
- Year: 2009
- Wind Speed: 250 km/h
- Rainfall: 700 mm
- Death Toll: 465
- Damage: Php 27.3 billion
In 2009, just days after the country was devastated by Typhoon Ondoy’s heavy downpours, Typhoon Pepeng wreaked havoc with even greater force. A massive flood occurred when the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan overflowed, prompting the release of water to prevent a breach, which then flooded homes.
It felt as though Pepeng finished what Ondoy started. Affecting thousands of families in northern Luzon and causing 27.3 billion pesos in damage.
6. Typhoon Glenda (International Name: Rammasun)
- Year: 2014
- Wind Speed: 260 km/h
- Rainfall: 200 mm
- Death Toll: 225
- Damage: Php 38.6 billion
With the wind speed of 260 km/h, Typhoon Glenda should take the number 6 spot. At least 90% of the total residents of Metro Manila lost power, as poles were toppled and lines downed.
With wind speeds of 260 km/h, Typhoon Glenda ranks as the 6th most powerful storm. Around 90% of Metro Manila’s residents lost power due to toppled poles and downed lines. The storm’s fierce winds destroyed numerous homes in the slums, and much of the capital was brought to a standstill. In total, Glenda claimed 225 lives and caused 38.6 billion pesos in damage.
Days after the landfall, three fishermen went missing after failing to return from a fishing trip in the province of Catanduanes.
5. Typhoon Pablo (International Name: Bopha)
- Year: 2012
- Wind Speed: 280 km/h
- Rainfall: 240 mm
- Death Toll: 1,901
- Damage: Php 43.2 billion
After claiming 1,901 lives, Typhoon Pablo became the third deadliest tropical storm to have the most casualties ever to hit the Philippines, following Yolanda being the first and Uring the second.
Pablo made landfall in three different regions: Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, and Palawan. The storm caused widespread power outages and landslides, impacting around 6 million people and destroying approximately 200,000 homes. The total damage was estimated at 43.2 billion pesos.
4. Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai)
- Year: 2021
- Wind Speed: 280 km/h
- Rainfall: 272.1 mm
- Death Toll: 409
- Damage: Php 51.8 billion
It was December 2021, not only Typhoon Odette severely affected more than nine million people, but also, it almost minimized their hopes for Christmas spirit, particularly the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao.
Due to its strong wind of 280 km/h, a haunting image of the storm’s aftermath shows knocked down coconut trees in Bohol, balding trees, and the wrecked Cloud 9 boardwalk in Siargao. Visayas didn’t have any power for almost three months since the storm hit, which made it seem like they weren’t having a bright Christmas after all.
3. Typhoon Ompong (International Name: Mangkhut)
- Year: 2018
- Wind Speed: 285 km/h
- Rainfall: 300 mm
- Death Toll: 134
- Damage: Php 33.9 billion
In 2018, Typhoon Ompong left a trail of destruction after sweeping through Luzon. With a wind speed of 285 km/h, it blew away roofs, uprooted trees, destroyed buildings, and blocked roads with debris. In Manila, extreme rains caused widespread flooding in urban areas. A tornado was reported in Marikina at around 5:30PM, September 14, injuring two people.
As Ompong weakened at the West Philippine Sea, the confirmed that the storm claimed 134 lives, and left destruction which cost 33.9 billion.
2. Typhoon Rolly (International Name: Goni)
- Year: 2020
- Wind Speed: 315 km/h
- Rainfall: Between 230 mm and 300 mm
- Death Toll: 32
- Damage: Php 20 billion
Here’s another typhoon which made matters worse for COVID-19. IIn 2020, Typhoon Rolly began as a tropical depression in southern Guam before intensifying into a super typhoon upon reaching the Philippines, boasting wind speeds of 315 km/h, comparable to Typhoon Yolanda.
The storm caused severe flash flooding in Bicol and Legazpi, leading to widespread power outages due to downed transmission lines. Additionally, crops suffered heavy damage. Overall, Rolly resulted in an estimated destruction cost of 20 billion pesos.
1. Typhoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan)
- Year: 2013
- Wind Speed: 315 km/h
- Rainfall: 281.9 mm
- Death Toll: 6,300
- Damage: Php 95.5 billion
Finally, the number one strongest and deadliest storm to ever hit the Philippines is Typhoon Yolanda, also known internationally as Haiyan, with a wind speed of 315 km/h.
After leaving 6,300 casualties, including the reported missing and presumed dead, no one could forget the traumatic mark the storm left behind, especially Tacloban City. Flash floods up to 19 feet high devastated buildings, uprooted trees, and swept away many individuals that left numerous injuries and fatalities. Affected regions were left without power for months, impacting nearby provinces like Bohol and Cebu.
In total, Yolanda left extreme destruction costing 95.5 billion pesos.
Don’t ignore the news when they report storm warnings. You may think it’s just rain, but you have no idea what the future holds. It’s a matter of survival. Trust me, if you make it through the storm, the sun after the rain is more beautiful than the sun before the rain.
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