TACLOBAN CITY (PNA) — Typhoon Ruby destroyed more than 100,000 houses in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.

Initial reports from the DSWD showed that 107,835 houses were destroyed during the onslaught of Ruby, of which 82,102 totally damaged and 25,733 partially damaged .

Of the number, 35,345 are in Eastern Samar; 41,566 in Northern Samar; 23,187 in Samar; 7,504 in Leyte; 188 in Biliran and 51 in Southern Leyte.

The DSWD also said Ruby has displaced 241,855 families or 1,098,847 individuals. More than half of 608,703 persons fled to 1,363 designated safe evacuation centers, according to DSWD.

Police reaching the Department of the Interior of the Interior and Local Government showed that there were 15 casualties in Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar and Biliran.

However the report has yet to be certified by local health officials and mayors.

“The damage is only minimal and loss of lives have been prevented since local government units and affected communities have been more proactive now after experiencing the

wrath of super typhoon Yolanda,” said Office of the Civil Defense regional director Blanche Gobenciong. (PNA)