Deadly Typhoon Hits Northern Philippines

At least one person is dead in the far northern Philippines, where so-called "Super Typhoon" Megi crashed ashore with fierce winds and torrential rain around midday Monday.

Reports say roofs were torn off houses and electricity poles were toppled by the winds, which howled at sustained speeds of 225 kilometers per hour and gusted up to 260. One man was killed when he fell in a river.


Megi is described as the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines in four years.

Philippine authorities ordered thousands of people in Cagayan and Isabella provinces on Luzon island to move to safer areas.  They say the heavy rain and high winds could damage buildings, power supplies and agriculture in the corn- and rice-producing region.

The government said it had prepared for the storm by sending food packs, rescue boats and other equipment to the north to help with eventual relief efforts.
Residents were also urged to stock up on food in Manila, 320 kilometers to the south.

Weather officials say Megi is this year's strongest typhoon.   It is expected to weaken slightly as it crosses Luzon before re-intensifying as it moves west over the South China Sea.

China has issued its second-highest alert for the typhoon, warning that it could be the strongest to affect the country this year.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.