Photos: Typhoon misery for central Philippines on Christmas Day

Residents stand next to a house damaged by typhoon Phanfone in Ormoc City, Leyte province in central Philippines. The typhoon pummelled the central Philippines on Christmas Day, bringing a wet and miserable holiday season to millions in the mainly Catholic nation.

Residents rest in an evacuation centre, as typhoon Phanfone makes landfall, in Borongan, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines. Thousands were stranded at shuttered ports or evacuation centres at the height of the festive season on Wednesday, and residents cowered in rain-soaked homes as Phanfone leapt from one small island to another for the second day.

A resident looks at a house damaged at the height of Typhoon Phanfone in Tacloban, Leyte province in the central Philippines. The typhoon toppled houses and trees and blacked out cities in the Philippines' most storm-prone region, but no deaths were reported.

A motorist commutes past a blown down galvanised roof from a house damaged during the height of Typhoon Phanfone in Tacloban, Leyte province in the central Philippines.

Residents walk past a house damaged during Typhoon Phanfone in Tacloban, Leyte province in the central Philippines.

Motorists wade through a flooded highway, caused by heavy rains due to typhoon Phanfone, in Ormoc City, Leyte province in central Philippines on December 25, 2019.

Fishermen carry a boat to higher ground in Baybay, eastern Samar, after typhoon Phanfone hit the central Philippines.

Police assist residents arriving at an evacuation centre, as typhoon Phanfone makes landfall, in Borongan, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines.

Residents clear an uprooted coconut tree, brought down by winds during typhoon Phanfone, from a road in Borongan, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines.

Residents wade through a flooded highway, caused by heavy rains due to typhoon Phanfone, in Ormoc City, Leyte province in central Philippine.

A resident looks at a house damaged at the height of Typhoon Phanfone in Tacloban, Leyte province in the central Philippines.

Lamp posts damaged due to typhoon Phanfone lie on a road in Ormoc City, Leyte province in central Philippines on December 25, 2019.

Fallen trees and buildings are seen after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines.

A man walks past damaged homes after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines.

Destroyed Christmas decorations are seen after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines.

Fallen tree branches litter a basketball court after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines.

Fallen trees are seen after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines.