Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. 13 Killed After Typhoon Hits Northern Philippines VOA News 19 October 2010 People save their belongings in Ilagan township a day after typhoon Megi (local name "Juan") barreled through Isabela province in northeastern Philippines, 19 Oct. 2010 Photo: AP People save their belongings in Ilagan township, a day after typhoon Megi (local name "Juan") barreled through Isabela province in northeastern Philippines, 19 Oct. 2010 Philippine President Benigno Aquino is crediting careful preparation for a relatively low death toll and rapid emergency response after a devastating typhoon swept across the northern Philippines and turned toward China. Authorities Tuesday confirmed at least 13 people were killed after Typhoon Megi flattened parts of northern Luzon island with winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour.  Many areas are in ruins in Isabella province, the most populated in Luzon's Cagayan Valley. The storm uprooted trees, tore roofs from houses and destroyed crucial rice crops. Thousands of people were moved into typhoon-safe buildings ahead of the storm, and rescue teams with emergency supplies were pre-positioned in critical areas. Typhoon Megi was the strongest storm to hit the Philippines in four years. It lost some of its force while crossing the mountains of Luzon, but is strengthening over the South China Sea. The Philippine weather service said the storm was centered Tuesday about 230 kilometers northwest of Dagupan City, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour.  It is expected to strike the Chinese mainland somewhere between Hainan Island and Hong Kong. China has issued warnings for Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces. A few months ago, a typhoon killed more than 100 people when it changed course and swept through Manila. Mr. Aquino fired the chief of the weather service after that storm. Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP. .