Typhoon Hagupit Latest News Update, Path: Philippines Braces For Another Monster Storm

The Philippines braced for yet another catastrophic storm on Thursday as typhoon Hagupit (Filipino for "lash" and locally known as "Ruby") roared toward the central part of the country packing winds of up to 195 kph (120 mph) with gusts of up to 230 kph.

Millions of people are expected to bear the brunt of the powerful storm which appears on course to hit a region that has yet to recover from the devastation caused by supertyphoon Haiyan last year. Haiyan, considered as one of history's biggest storms, claimed more than 7,000 lives, left more than four million people homeless, and destroyed $12 billion worth of properties and economic infrastructure.

Hagupit is not expected to be as strong as Haiyan, which packed winds of over 300 kph and whipped up six-meter high storm surges. But authorities said the storm will still be capable of uprooting trees, blowing roofs off houses and triggering massive floods and storm surges.

The local weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said it expects Hagupit to strengthen to a category 5 storm before crashing into Eastern Samar province on Saturday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said if Hagupit continues on its path, some 4.5 million people will be within its 65-km radius of destructive winds.

Classes were suspended in areas along the path of Hagupit to prepare school houses to serve as evacuation centers. Authorities and residents also began stocking up on supplies and food.

Meanwhile, the Tropical Storm Risk and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the U.S. Navy warned that the storm may veering north and move closer to the capital Manila. This was in contrast to the prediction made by the local weather bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency which both predicted that Hagupit would make a direct hit on central Philippines, far from Manila.

Jerry Yaokasin, vice mayor of Tacloban City -- the area worst hit by Haiyan--said residents have started to flee the coastal areas of the city while hundreds of Haiyan survivors still living in tents have been moved to safer shelters. He said bus stations are packed with people trying to leave the city.

Local government officials and emergency teams from the Red Cross, army and coastguard were on high alert for possible swollen rivers, landslides, flash floods, and storm surges, said Roger Mercado, governor of Southern Leyte province.

"All radios and televisions are open, cell phones are being charged. People are buying food stuff, preparing fuel and gasoline supply," Mercado told a local radio station. "People are now conscious of preparations."