Typhoon Haiyan hits Philippines, may be largest storm ever seen on earth

[TaraF]

A large (understatement) typhoon has made landfall in the Philippines. What makes this storm interesting and scary is that it could possibly end up being the largest storm ever to hit the earth.

Some facts on Super Tyhphoon Haiyan:

- Super Typhoon Haiyan has become so powerful that as it approached the Philippines it has gone off the scale, surpassing the maximum measure of 8.0 to hit 8.1.

- Wind speeds have reached 315 kph

- Wind gusts have reached 380hph

- The storm should remain over land for the next 18 hrs

- It is expected to be the most powerful storm to ever hit the Philippines.

- May end up being the most powerful storm ever seen on Earth.

- Thousands have been evacuated.

[Patty Smyth]

Very scary been following it today on CNN.

[Natalka]

Friday, November 8, 2013 6:54AM EST 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.
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 200-kilometre 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.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/typhoon-...#ixzz2k3rWKlzK

After slamming the Philippines, Haiyan will remain a dangerous typhoon as it emerges into the South China Sea and continues to move to the west-northwest this weekend.
The eventual track of Haiyan will bring the storm toward Vietnam by Sunday with continued impacts on Monday.
Rainfall from former Typhoon Krosa and Tropical Storm 30W have already soaked Vietnam in the past week.
Thus, any additional heavy rainfall from Haiyan early next week will quickly lead to flooding and mudslide threats.
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Prayers for all those people affected and their families.
My son's good friend is from the Philippines and has family there, but I don't know from what area, I'll check with him today.

[TaraF]

Yes Patty I had been following it all day yesterday as well.

Gosh natalka, I haven't read the news this morning. Hoping the best for the Philippines.

[TaraF]

Unfortunately but not surprising, the death toll has risen. It now sits around 100.

[Patty Smyth]

Death toll 1200 now

[Natalka]

They are estimated numbers, and it's just horrid.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/08...in-philippines

[TaraF]

Local authorities are putting the toll sitting at least at 10,000 now. Wow. I can't imagine what the toll will be after things clear and they are able to actually search. So incredibly sad.

[Patty Smyth]

[TaraF]

Wow Patty. A picture speaks a thousand words.

[Patty Smyth]

What I find terrible in a lot of these disasters is that is always seems to hit such poor areas who have so little to begin with.

[TaraF]

Yes, and one of the areas hit was recovering from an earthquake recently.

Canada has pledged $5 Million for disaster relief.

[Patty Smyth]

[Candini]

Saw this on the news today - so sad and tragic. Can`t believe the numbers went so high.

Hopefully Vietnam doesn`t get hit as hard.

[Natalka]

Interesting reading it from perspective in Manila itself - politics rearing its ugly head, president hasn't yet declared it a 'calamity'

http://www.mb.com.ph/10000-dead-in-tacloban/
http://www.mb.com.ph/lawmakers-to-aq...e-of-calamity/