Philippine forecasters say a super typhoon has slammed into the country’s northeastern coast amid fears it may bring widespread damage similar to that wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
The forecasters say Typhoon Haima, with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour and gusts of up to 195 mph, smashed inland at Penablanca town in Cagayan province shortly before midnight Wednesday, bringing intense rain. Many villages lost power and powerful winds were tearing tin roofs off houses.
The government’s weather agency raised the highest of a five-level storm warning in six northern provinces, which meant that powerful winds could inflict “very heavy to widespread damage” and whip up storm surges of up to 16 feet, enough to engulf shanties in many rural communities.
Associated Press
