A very dangerous situation is unfolding in the Philippines as Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Ruby, makes landfall in the province of Eastern Samar. More than 30 million people will be impacted by this cyclone.
Hagupit rapidly strengthened into a super typhoon on Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday with sustained winds over 241 kph (150 mph), the equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Ocean.
It weakened on Thursday evening and into early Friday after going through some strong wind shear. Hagupit briefly restrengthened back to a super typhoon on Friday evening before losing super typhoon status again early on Saturday morning.
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Anthony Sagliani warned "Even with the frequent intensity changes of Hagupit, it is important that those in its path realize that a deadly, destructive storm surge is still possible near and just north of where landfall occurs."
The cyclone could still bring catastrophic damage, especially near land-falling areas. Sagliani mentioned "the coast of Western Samar, Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Albany, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes provinces are the most susceptible."
Wind gusts over 240 kph (150 mph) are expected near landfall in eastern Visayas. Landfall is expected within 100 miles of where Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall last year.
Hagupit will slow its forward speed as it approaches and moves through the Philippines through early next week. Due to this slow movement, areas will experience this extreme weather for a long duration, further increasing the damage and impacts of the storm.
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