Typhoon Noul hits north Philippines

Typhoon Noul slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines yesterday, triggering warnings of possible flash floods, landslides and storm surges and prompting almost 3,000 people to flee their homes.

The storm hit Cagayan province late yesterdayafternoon and was expected to move north towards Japan, the government weather station said.

The civil defence office said there were no immediate reports of storm-related deaths but the typhoon knocked out power in much of the province, making it difficult to get data.

Meteorologists said Noul's movement slowed slightly before reaching the Philippines, but it also strengthened to pack gusts of 220 kilometres per hour.

In Taiwan, authorities warned sailors of strong winds and high waves and evacuated almost 1,000 tourists from an island off the southeast coast.

"This is a very dangerous storm. It is the strongest so far this year," said Rene Paciente, head of the Philippines' marine weather division.

National civil defence chief Alexander Pama said that given the possibility of storm surges of up to two metres (6.5 feet), they were taking no chances.

In November 2013 storm surges were the main killers as Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing.