The Philippine government issued evacuation orders for parts of Luzon Island on Saturday as Typhoon Goni took aim at the country.
The Category 5 storm -- known in the Philippines as Rolly -- had 133 mph winds as of 10 p.m. The eye was located about 115 miles east of Virac, Catanduanes, and was moving west-southwest at 15 mph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes or Camarines Sur early Sunday.
Goni is expected to be clear of Luzon by Monday morning.
Typhoon Goni is barrelling across the Philippines, bringing with it "catastrophic" winds and rain.
ReplyDeleteAt least seven people have died amid reports of storm surges, flash floods, power outages and blown-off roofs.
There are fears a typhoon which slammed into the Philippines may have damaged 90% of the buildings in the first town it struck, the Red Cross has said.
ReplyDeletePhilippines Chairman Dick Gordon said a "visual" assessment showed that Virac, home to 70,000 people, had been badly affected by Typhoon Goni.
At least 16 people were killed after Goni made landfall on Catanduanes island as a super typhoon on Sunday.
It has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.