Super typhoon Haiyan slams into Philippines

Year's strongest typhoon

The most powerful typhoon this year, and possibly the strongest ever to hit land, has slammed into coastal regions of the Philippines. In particular, communities on the central island of Samar, some 650 kilometers (405 miles) southeast of the capital Manila, were badly hit. The storm also struck Leyte Island with winds up to 315 kilometers (195 miles) an hour and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves.

Image: Getty Images/Afp/Charism Sayat

Residents (R) stand along a sea wall as high waves pounded them amidst strong winds as Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Legaspi, Albay province, south of Manila on November 8, 2013. One of the most intense typhoons on record whipped the Philippines on November 8, killing three people and terrifying millions as monster winds tore roofs off buildings and giant waves washed away flimsy homes. (Photo: AFP)

Devastating winds

The category-5 super typhoon battered the northern tip of Cebu Province and headed west towards Boracay island, both of them tourist destinations. The devastating winds blew away rooftops, felled trees and knocked out power. Giant waves washed away many of the flimsy, makeshift homes.

Image: Reuters/NOAA

Typhoon Haiyan is pictured in this NOAA satellite handout image taken November 8, 2013 at 01:57 UTC. (Photo: Reuters)

Several casualties

Many residents rushed to safety. But according to official reports, at least four people have been killed so far and seven others injured. Two people were electrocuted in storm-related accidents, one person was killed by a fallen tree and another was struck by lightning. The death toll is expected to rise.

Image: Reuters/Zander Casas

Residents rush to safety past a fallen tree during strong winds brought by Typhoon Haiyan that hit Cebu city, central Philippines November 8, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands flee

More than 700,000 people had been evacuated from towns and villages in the typhoon's path, according to the Philippine government. Ferry services and fishing were suspended and authorities closed a total of 13 airports. Schools, offices and shops in the central provinces also remained shut, with medical staff, soldiers and emergency workers preparing for rescue operations.

Image: picture-alliance/dpa

People being helped down a truck. Many regions in the Philippines were evacuated. (Photo. picture alliance November 7, 2013)

Next stop Vietnam?

The typhoon is expected to move through the central Philippines on Friday and Saturday, before turning towards the South China Sea where it could gain strength and threaten China, Vietnam and Laos.

Image: picture-alliance/dpa

A Filipino resident carries a kilo of rice before a super typhoon landfalls at a coastal village in Las Pinas city, south of Manila, Philippines, 08 November 2013. Thousands of people fled from coastal communities and areas prone to landslides in the eastern Philippines, as the country prepared for what was expected to be the worst typhoon to hit this year. (Photo: epa)

20 typhoons a year

Storms, like Haiyan, earn the super typhoon status when winds exceed 240 kilometers per hour. An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year. In 2012, Typhoon Bopha swept across three coastal towns on the island province of Mindanao, killing some 1,100 people and causing damage of more than a billion USD (770 million euros). Haiyan is the 24th typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Image: Reuters/Zander Casas

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Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, has swept through the Philippines, triggering landslides and causing damage to the country's power and communications lines. Several people have been killed.