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                     Philippines Prepares for Large Typhoon

   by VOA News

   Residents in the central Philippines are stocking up on emergency
   supplies and fleeing the coast ahead of the arrival of a powerful
   typhoon.

   Typhoon Hagupit is expected to arrive Saturday in Eastern Samar
   province. It is the same region hit last year by a super typhoon that
   killed over 7,000 people.

   With the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan still fresh in their minds, many
   residents are taking no chances, forming long lines at grocery stores
   and gas stations.

   Haiyan was one of the strongest storms ever to make landfall, and many
   of the regions it hit are still recovering.

   The government, which was criticized for its response to Haiyan, has
   placed the military on alert and prepared evacuation centers in the
   areas likely to be worst-hit.

   As of midday Thursday, Hagupit was packing sustained winds of up to 195
   kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour. It is
   expected to strengthen to a category five storm before making landfall.

   The United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs
   says that if Hagupit continues on its projected track, an estimated 4.5
   million people within the 65 kilometer radius of damaging winds may be
   affected.

   However, it noted that some forecast models show there is a 25 percent
   chance that the storm will instead curve and head north toward Manila.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-prepares-for-large-typhoon/2545398.html