Thousands Flee, Flights Canceled as Typhoon Threatens Philippines
- Over 45,000 people were evacuated before typhoon hits land
- Typhoon cancels dozens of flights, halts sea transport
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Super Typhoon Rai slammed into the Philippines on Thursday with Category 5 strength, prompting thousands to flee to safer ground before one of the strongest storms this year hit land.
Rai, locally known as Odette, is packing winds of 140 knots (259 kilometers per hour) and gusts of up to 170 knots, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. It made landfall on Siargao island, a tourist destination, in southern Philippines before heading to the South China Sea, according to the Philippine weather bureau.