Home › extreme weather › 4 dead as year’s strongest typhoon hits Philippines

4 dead as year’s strongest typhoon hits Philippines

By C. J. Refsland on November 8, 2013 • ( 1 )

MANILA, Philippines — The strongest typhoon this year slammed into the central Philippines on Friday, setting off landslides and knocking out power and communication lines in several provinces. At least four people died.

Typhoon Haiyan blasts the Philippines

Huge, fast-paced Typhoon Haiyan raced across a string of islands from east to west — Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Panay— and lashed beach communities with over 120 mile-per-hour winds. Nearly 720,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.

Due to cut-off communication, it was impossible to know the extent of casualties and damage. So far, two people were electrocuted in storm-related accidents, one person was killed by a fallen tree and another was struck by lightning, official reports said.

Thousands Flee as Super Typhoon ‘Haiyan’ Nears Philippines

Southern Leyte Gov. Roger Mercado said the super typhoon triggered landslides that blocked roads, uprooted trees and ripped roofs off houses around his residence.

The dense clouds and heavy rains made the day seem almost as dark as night, he said.

“When you’re faced with such a scenario, you can only pray, and pray and pray,” Mercado told The Associated Press by telephone, adding that his town mayors have not called in to report any major damage.