In this photo taken early Dec. 16, 2021, residents sleep inside a sports complex turned into an evacuation center in Dapa town, Siargao island, Surigao del Norte province in southern island of Mindanao, ahead of Typhoon Rai's landfall in the province.

AFP / Roel Catoto

 

DAPA, Philippines — Thousands of people in the Philippines have fled their homes and beachfront resorts as a powerful typhoon lashed the archipelago Thursday, with authorities warning of destructive winds and torrential rain.

 

Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometres (102 miles) an hour as it barrelled towards central and southern regions of the vast archipelago, the state weather agency said. 

 

But it warned wind speeds could intensify to 195 kilometres an hour before the storm makes landfall near the popular tourist destination of Siargao island in the afternoon.

 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/16/2148384/thousands-flee-homes-odette-lashes-philippines

 

-- © Copyright Philstar 2021-12-16

Rather old news - this storm increased from cat 1 to cat 5 within 24 hours and is the strongest every to hit Surigao with estimated speeds of 240 kph and huge rainfalls and is currently still very strong as it passes just South of Cebu.