It was morning of November 5, 1991, when it was reported that there was Typhoon-Signal No. 1 named “Uring”. People were indifferent at that time because they thought it was just a minor typhoon. Some people said that it was just slight blow of rain and with heavy rains. At the height of the passing storm, Ormoc City was flooded by massive water, huge logs and debris from the mountains which passed through the river. City Proper and Isla Verde along Anilao River were the most affected areas and suffered great damaged, submerging some areas as much as 3 meters, according to the people who survived the flash flood.
The result of the massive flooding was widespread devastation. In Ormoc City alone, a total of 4,000 residents were killed. An additional of 3,020 people was also injured and more or less were reported missing. Agriculture, bridges and other infrastructure in the flooded area were severely damaged. Power failure and water shortage were also extensive throughout the affected areas as power lines and water systems were destroyed. The life and economy of the entire island was disrupted. The entire city was devastated.
Many people suggested different causes of the flooding. Some said that the Lake Danao located above the Ormoc watershed overflowed; another notion was that several water sprouts coming from Ormoc Bay unloaded a huge volume of water over the hills of Ormoc watershed. But from the rainfall records, flooding in Ormoc and other parts was triggered by the intense rainfall associated with Typhoon Uring.
Mia Adonna M. Pulgo
1991 FLASH FLOOD
It was November 8, 2013; Ormoc City faced again another powerful storm named Yolanda, the strongest and monstrous catastrophe that ever happened in Ormoc history, a super typhoon that destroyed most houses, buildings and infrastructure due to its very strong wind. It was worst than 1991 in terms of property damages. It didn’t matter whether you were rich or poor. Even if it was a strong typhoon, it was noted that there was a significant drop in the number of casualties in Ormoc as compared to Typhoon Uring. It was a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune or ruin.
Communication and power failure were the big problems at that time as power lines were destroyed, shortage of food, water and other basic needs or supplies. People outside the region thought that only Tacloban City was the most affected area because of the tsunami outbreak. It took 3 days after the calamity for them to find out that Ormoc City was severely devastated also. Relief goods reached many people. The life and economy of the city was disrupted.
Many foreigners and NGO’s from other parts of the country and outside the country helped us. Giving us food, water and other things needed to survive. Government rescued, provided help and rehabilitated the affected areas.
Ormoc City normalized after 3 months and residents started resettling its damaged areas. They restored and fixed their houses little by little.
Mia Adonna M. Pulgo
TYPHOON YOLANDA
Recent catastrophe in Ormoc City was the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that frightened the people. This earthquake caused minimal damaged in the city proper but very harsh and caused several damaged in the mountain areas of Ormoc City, wherein many houses were destroyed in Dolores, Milagro, Tongonan, Maglahug, and some other areas. Fault lines were seen in the following areas. Series of aftershocks or tremors are still experienced until now that made some people panic or filled with fear and apprehensions every time the ground shakes. Government responded very well to the affected areas.
Mia Adonna M. Pulgo
2017 EARTHQUAKE
