The central Philippines is bracing for what is being called the strongest storm of 2013 as super typhoon Haian, or Yolanda as it's known in the Philippines, looms closer.
Thousands living in the path of the storm have been relocated as Haiyan is being called one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever, CNN reports. The typhoon has wind speeds of 190 miles per hour and gusts up to 230 miles per hour. The typhoon is expected to hit the country on Friday morning.
Major Reynaldo Balido of the Philippine Office of Civil Defense said that over 3,800 people were evacuated. Many are from the coastal city of Tacloban City, which boasts a population of over 200,000.
President Benigno S. Aquino III said in a speech, "Let me repeat myself: This is a very real danger, and we can mitigate and lessen its effects if we use the information available to prepare."
According to NBC News, Weather Channel lead meteorologist Michael Palmer said the storm could cause lots of damage and "a significant loss of life."
He added, "It's a very poor country and there is not really any place for these people to go because they are on an island."
Strong winds and rain was already hitting some areas on Thursday, prompting officials to cancel ferry services, schools and bring back fishing boats.
image: Wikimedia Commons
