Super-typhoon Haiyan

Super typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda makes landfall in Philippines

The Philippines is being pounded by Super Typhoon Haiyan, the most powerful storm on the planet in 30 years

ABC,

6 November, 2013

Haiyan was recorded packing winds of up to 314 kilometres an hour as it made landfall earlier today

Television pictures already reveal widespread damage to parts of the central Philippines and authorities are warning of floods and landslides.

Ten million people are estimated to be in the path of the typhoon, and half-a-million people have already been evacuated.

The head of the Philippines Red Cross, Gwendolyn Pang, has told Asia Pacific even those who've sought emergency shelter are still at risk.

"Even people in evacuation centres - we are not quite sure if they're safe because the wind is very strong," she said.

"We have seen in the previous disasters - especially typhoons - still evacuation centres are not really safe for the people.

"We're trying our best to continue to monitor the situation...but it's so huge - so big."

Ms Pang says the wind is making any aid efforts difficult.

"The challenge now is how are we going to continue to support the people in the next few hours or days because...our the wind is very strong and our activities are very limited at the moment," she said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says Super Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, made landfall at 4.40am local time over Guiuan, Eastern Samar in Philippines.

Authorities say the typhoon could cause major damage across a vast area of the central and southern Philippines.

"This is a very dangerous typhoon," state weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said.

"There are not too many mountains on its path to deflect the force of impact, making it more dangerous.

"Local officials know where the vulnerable areas are and have given instructions on evacuations."

In Bohol province, 5,000 people living in tents after they lost their homes in a magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month have been moved to temporary shelters.

At least 1,000 people on an island off Masbate province have been marooned by stormy weather and large waves reaching seven meters high.

Schools in the capital Manila have been closed and university classes cancelled.

President Benigno Aquino has appeared on national television to warn the people of floods and landslides

Sea travel and flights have been suspended, and schools have been closed in the central region.

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year.

A 'super typhoon' is one in which the wind speeds are twice as powerful as the point at which a storm becomes a typhoon.

Bopha, last year's strongest storm, flattened three coastal towns on the southern island of Mindanao, killing 1,100 people.

Typhoon Haiyan pounded Palau and parts of Micronesia early Thursday morning, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of a remote island in Palau.

Super Typhoon Haiyan Just Broke All Scientific Intensity Scales, 500 Miles Wide, 236 MPH Winds

Beforeitsnews,

7 November, 2013

Writing for Quartz, meteorologist Eric Holthaus says that the super typhoon Haiyan about to hit the Philippines is the worst storm he has ever seen. With sustained winds of 190mph (305km/h) and staggering gusts of 230mph (370km/h), its “intensity has actually ticked slightly above the maximum to 8.1 on an 8.0 scale.” Update: It broke 235mph.

Holthaus says that Yolanda—its Filipino name—beats “Wilma (2005) in intensity by 5mph—that was the strongest storm ever in the Atlantic,” which makes it a member of the select club of Worst Storms Ever in the Planet. Only three other storms since 1969 have reached this intensity.

Reports of water now reaching the 2nd floors of buildings in the Tacloban City, Philippines area

The area South of Tacloban has extreme damage in the cities of Palo, Tanauan,Tolosa

Waves up to 12-15 feet (4-5 meters) hit Philippines islands of Leyte and Samar as Typhoon Haiyan hits area

@4cast4you: Just heartbreaking… 5ft of water filled with debris in downtown Tacloban City

Haiyan made landfall as the most powerful typhoon or hurricane in recorded history, says meteorologist Jeff Masters of Weather Underground

Behold!   One of thee most powerful storms ever recorded on Earth.  This monster is slamming the Philippine Islands as I speak..   I will keep everyone updated on the affects this storm will have on those poor people. Mass casualties are expected.  Crazy.. -Mort

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