Tens of thousands of people evacuated as typhoon approaches Philippines

"Authorities warned of torrential rain and potentially deadly storm surges of up to nearly 10 feet. Typhoon Kalmaegi was last spotted about 146 miles east of the town of Guiuan in the province of Eastern Samar, with sustained winds of up to 74mph and gusts of up to 93mph, and was forecast to hit land later today. It was expected to blow westwards overnight and on Tuesday and batter central island provinces, including Cebu,"

"which is still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit on September 30 and left at least 79 dead and displaced thousands of people after their houses collapsed or were severely damaged. Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, was forecast to further strengthen over the Philippine Sea before making landfall in Guiuan or nearby municipalities, where Eastern Samar governor RV Evardone said he has issued mandatory evacuation orders starting on Monday."

Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, was located about 146 miles east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with sustained winds up to 74 mph and gusts to 93 mph. Authorities warned of torrential rain and potentially deadly storm surges approaching nearly 10 feet. The storm was forecast to move westwards overnight and batter central island provinces, including Cebu, and to strengthen over the Philippine Sea before making landfall in Guiuan or nearby municipalities. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for coastal towns, and more than 70,000 residents were ordered to move to evacuation centres or sturdy concrete buildings. Disaster agencies and the coastguard were placed on alert.

Read at Irish Independent