Ormoc

Ormoc, chartered city, western Leyte, central Philippines. The city lies at the head of Ormoc Bay, an inlet of the Camotes Sea. It serves the only commercial sugarcane district in the eastern Visayan Islands. Rice, copra, and sugar are exported, and sugar, rice, and corn (maize) milling are important. Ormoc has an airport and is the headquarters of Tongonan Hot Spring National Park.

During World War II, Ormoc was Leyte’s largest Japanese stronghold and supply base. It fell to forces commanded by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur on December 10, 1944, after heavy fighting. The contemporary city was built on the ruins of the old city.

On November 5, 1991, flash floods triggered by heavy rains inundated Ormoc and killed nearly 8,000 people. The city was again largely destroyed by Super Typhoon Haiyan, a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the city with violent winds and a large storm surge on November 8, 2013. Inc. city, 1947. Pop. (2000) 154,297; (2010) 191,200.