Photos: 2013′s Strongest Typhoon Hit Philippines

A house is engulfed by the storm surge brought about by powerful typhoon Haiyan that hit Legazpi city, Albay province Friday Nov.8, 2013 about 520 kilometers ( 325 miles) south of Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, according to U.S. Navy’s Joint Warning Center, slammed into central Philippine provinces, with one weather expert warning “There will be catastrophic damage.” Meteorologists said Haiyan has maximum sustained winds of 314 kilometers per hour (195 mph) and gusts up to 379 kilometers per hour (235 mph). (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)

Philippines was hit by this year’s strongest typhoon called Typhoon Haiyan. 

At least four people were reported killed by during this massive disaster but the death toll could rise when the authorities can reach the badly hit areas. 

The strong winds and heavy rains from the typhoon causes floods and landslides, destroying buildings, plants and roads.

Typhoon Haiyan is the second category 5 typhoon to hit the Philippines this year after Typhoon Usagi in September.

Aldczar Aurelio of the government’s weather bureau said Typhoon Haiyan had sustained winds of 235 kph (147 mph) with gusts of 275 kph (170 mph) when it made landfall, making it the strongest typhoon this year.

“The super typhoon likely made landfall with winds near 195 mph or 314 kph . This makes Haiyan the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall,” said Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at U.S.-based Weather Underground.

The huge, fast-paced Typhoon Haiyan raced across a string of islands from east to west.

After lashing the central islands of Samar and Leyte with 275-kph (170 mph) wind gusts and causing waves as high as 5-6 meter (15-19 ft), it lashed Cebu and Panay with over 200 kilometer (125 mile) per hour winds.

Nearly 720,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.

Power and communications in the three large islands of Samar, Leyte and Bohol were almost completely down but authorities promised to restore them within 24 hours.

Weather Underground’s Masters said that the world’s strongest recorded typhoon, cyclone or hurricane to make landfall was Hurrican Camille in 1969, which hit the southern U.S. state of Mississippi with 305 kph (190 mph) winds, said .

The state weather bureau said Haiyan was expected to move past the Philippines on Saturday and out over the South China Sea, where it could strengthen even further and hit Vietnam.

Please click the photos for larger images:

A resident (R) walks past high waves pounding the sea wall amidst strong winds as Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Legaspi, Albay province, south of Manila on November 8, 2013. One of the most intense typhoons on record whipped the Philippines on November 8, killing three people and terrifying millions as monster winds tore roofs off buildings and giant waves washed away flimsy homes.AFP PHOTO/CHARISM SAYAT (Photo credit should read Charism SAYAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Residents (R) stand along a sea wall as high waves pounded them amidst strong winds as Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Legaspi, Albay province, south of Manila on November 8, 2013. One of the most intense typhoons on record whipped the Philippines on November 8, killing three people and terrifying millions as monster winds tore roofs off buildings and giant waves washed away flimsy homes.AFP PHOTO/CHARISM SAYAT (Photo credit should read Charism SAYAT/AFP/Getty Images)

A man walks past a tree uprooted by strong winds brought by super Typhoon Haiyan that hit Cebu city, central Philippines November 8, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. REUTERS/Zander Casas

Residents clear the road after a tree was toppled by strong winds and damaged a van at the onslaught of powerful typhoon Haiyan that hit the island province of Cebu, Philippines Friday Nov. 8, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, slammed into the Philippines on Friday, setting off landslides, knocking out power in one entire province and cutting communications in the country’s central region of island provinces.(AP Photo/Chester Baldicantos)

Damage to buildings in Ormoc City. Credit: Ritchel M. Deleon

Residents walk along the coastal village while strong winds from Typhoon Haiyan battered Bayog town in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila November 8, 2013. REUTERS/Charlie Saceda