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Powerful Typhoon Hagupit nears Philippines Powerful Typhoon Hagupit nears Philippines
(35 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of people have sought shelter as powerful Typhoon Hagupit heads towards the Philippines.Tens of thousands of people have sought shelter as powerful Typhoon Hagupit heads towards the Philippines.
Hagupit, or Ruby in the Philippines, has gusts of up to 250km/h (155mph) and is due to hit land on Saturday evening.Hagupit, or Ruby in the Philippines, has gusts of up to 250km/h (155mph) and is due to hit land on Saturday evening.
It is on course for the Eastern and Northern Samar provinces and the city of Tacloban, where thousands were killed by Typhoon Haiyan a year ago.It is on course for the Eastern and Northern Samar provinces and the city of Tacloban, where thousands were killed by Typhoon Haiyan a year ago.
Local residents, many of them still living in temporary shelters, are moving away from coastal areas.Local residents, many of them still living in temporary shelters, are moving away from coastal areas.
Haiyan - known as Yolanda in the Philippines - was the most powerful typhoon ever recorded over land. It tore though the central Philippines in November 2013, leaving more than 7,000 dead or missing.Haiyan - known as Yolanda in the Philippines - was the most powerful typhoon ever recorded over land. It tore though the central Philippines in November 2013, leaving more than 7,000 dead or missing.
Hagupit, which means "smash" in Filipino, is not expected to be a powerful as Haiyan but could bring storm surges up to one storey high, a well as heavy rain and the risk of landslides.Hagupit, which means "smash" in Filipino, is not expected to be a powerful as Haiyan but could bring storm surges up to one storey high, a well as heavy rain and the risk of landslides.
The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center had classified Hagupit as a super typhoon but downgraded it on Friday morning. It remains the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Schools and government offices are closed in some areas and there were long queues at shops and petrol stations as people stocked up on supplies.Schools and government offices are closed in some areas and there were long queues at shops and petrol stations as people stocked up on supplies.
In Tacloban, many people had chosen to seek shelter in the sports stadium. In Tacloban, many people have taken shelter in the sports stadium.
"We've learned our lesson from Yolanda," Rita Villadolid, 39, told AFP news agency from inside the stadium. "Everyone here is gripped with fear.""We've learned our lesson from Yolanda," Rita Villadolid, 39, told AFP news agency from inside the stadium. "Everyone here is gripped with fear."
About 19,000 people from coastal villages are in 26 evacuation centres, Tacloban's disaster office spokesman Ilderando Bernadas told Reuters.About 19,000 people from coastal villages are in 26 evacuation centres, Tacloban's disaster office spokesman Ilderando Bernadas told Reuters.
He said that number was expected to double was the authorities began forcing people to evacuate.He said that number was expected to double was the authorities began forcing people to evacuate.
The Philippine weather authorities said that as of 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT) Hagupit was 435km (270 miles) east of Eastern Samar and moving at a speed of 13km/h. It has sustained winds of 215km/h and gusts of up to 250 km/h. Tacloban's Deputy Mayor Jerry Yaokasin told the BBC's Newsday: "We haven't yet fully recovered from last year's super-typhoon Haiyan and here we go again.
"It's like we're seeing a movie, it's like the Groundhog Day, it's like deja vu for all of us, it's like happening all over again.
"And it's stirring up a lot of emotions in our hearts and bringing back so many painful memories of what happened during super typhoon Haiyan."
The Philippine weather authorities said that as of 10:00 local time on Friday (02:00 GMT) Hagupit was 435km (270 miles) east of Eastern Samar and moving at 13km/h, a relatively slow speed.
It has sustained winds of 215km/h and gusts of up to 250 km/h. Up to 33 provinces and municipalities will likely be affected.
The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center had classified Hagupit as a super typhoon but downgraded it on Friday morning. It remains the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Meteorologists had said there was a chance Hagupit could veer north towards Japan and miss the Philippines altogether, but this scenario is increasingly seen as unlikely.Meteorologists had said there was a chance Hagupit could veer north towards Japan and miss the Philippines altogether, but this scenario is increasingly seen as unlikely.
The Philippines gives its own names to typhoons once they move into Philippine waters, rather than using the international storm-naming system.The Philippines gives its own names to typhoons once they move into Philippine waters, rather than using the international storm-naming system.
Are you in the region? Your can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the region? Your can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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