VIDEO: Haiyan seen from space
TORONTO – After becoming one of the most powerful storms in history, Haiyan has finally weakened over China.
Super Typhoon Haiyan caused widespread destruction in the Philippines on Friday as winds near 315 km/h hammered the island nation. Flash floods and high waves slammed into coastal communities, sweeping homes and people into the water. In one community, Tacloban, officials fear the death toll could reach as high as 10,000.
After the super typhoon passed over the Philippines, it made its way into the South China Sea. There, it weakened somewhat, but still packed winds near 165 km/h. The Chinese island of Hainan, northeast of the storm’s eye, was also pounded by high winds and waves.
As Haiyan turned toward Vietnam, several thousand people were evacuated from coastal communities. It once again made landfall near the Cam Pha District, 100 miles east of Hanoi on Nov. 11, with winds of 120 km/h.
It then turned northeast and moved through southern China where eight people were reported dead.
Lacking warm water and facing wind shear – both ingredients that help to strengthen tropical storms – Haiyan quickly weakened over China.
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