Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                Super Typhoon Usagi Batters Taiwan, Philippines

   Super Typhoon Usagi, the Pacific`s most powerful storm this year, is
   bringing strong winds and heavy rains to the northern Philippines and
   Taiwan.
   The massive storm was sweeping through the Luzon Strait on Saturday,
   with sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and wind gusts up to
   250 kilometers per hour.
   The center of the storm passed over the Philippines` Batanes islands,
   destroying crops, downing trees and cutting off electricity. There were
   no immediate reports of casualties.
   In Taiwan, authorities canceled flights and closed schools and offices
   ahead of the storm, which is expected to particularly threaten the
   island`s south and east coasts with torrential rain and possible
   mudslides.
   Usagi, which has a diameter of 1,100 kilometers, is expected to weaken
   before making a direct hit on Hong Kong and the southern coast of
   China, which has issued a red alert, its highest warning.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/super-typhoon-usagi-batters-taiwan-ph
   ilippines/1754271.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/super-typhoon-usagi-batters-taiwan-philippines/1754271.html