THOUSANDS FLEE AS TYPHOON HITS NORTH PHILIPPINES

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Noul slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines Sunday, 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 Sunday afternoon 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 (137 miles) per hour.More than 1,680 people in Cagayan were evacuated from coastal villages before the storm hit and the exercise was continuing, said Norma Talosig, regional civil defence chief.

Source: AFP