Typhoon kills 12 in Philippines, spares Manila
Source: AP-Excite
By JIM GOMEZ and OLIVER TEVES
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A typhoon left at least 12 people dead, knocked out power in many areas, damaged a parked plane but spared the Philippine capital on Wednesday when its fierce wind shifted, officials said.
Still, Typhoon Rammasun's winds of 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour and blinding 185-kph (115-mph) gusts brought down trees, electric posts and ripped off roofs across the capital of 12 million people, shutting government offices and schools. More than 370,000 people moved from high-risk villages to emergency shelters in six provinces.
The typhoon weakened before it blew out of the country later Wednesday, heading toward northern Vietnam or China's Hainan Island, forecaster Jori Loiz said. He said it could regain strength while crossing the South China Sea.
In a shantytown at the edge of Manila Bay, hundreds fled when strong wind tore tin roofs. Most were drenched before they reached an evacuation center with the help of emergency workers.
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Workers at a nearby fishing port brave strong rains as Typhoon Rammasun batters suburban Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, July 16, 2014. Typhoon Rammasun knocked out power in many areas but it spared the Philippine capital, Manila, and densely-populated northern provinces from being directly battered Wednesday when its fierce wind shifted slightly away, officials said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)