Typhoon Haiyan's devastation continued in the Philippines Saturday with sustained winds still reaching about 100 miles per hour.
The Philippine Red Cross estimates about 1,200 people have died from the storm. This comes after more than 750,000 people were evacuated from their homes before the storm hit. (Via WJZ-TV)
A meteorologist with Weather Underground says Haiyan's 195-mile-per-hour sustained winds at its landfall made it the strongest tropical system to make landfall in recorded history. That breaks the 1969 world record of 190-mile-per-hour winds from Hurricane Camille, which made landfall in Mississippi.
To put that into perspective, CNN reports Haiyan was 3.5 times stronger than Hurricane Katrina, which hit states like Florida, Alabama and Louisiana back in 2005. In the Philippines, most buildings left standing are without roofs and windows.
The storm has weakened — at least temporarily. Haiyan was downgraded from its original super typhoon status Saturday, but forecasters worry it could gain intensity when it barrels toward its next target, Vietnam. (Via WABC)
The Philippines are no stranger to strong tropical systems, though. Haiyan is the fourth typhoon to make landfall on the islands this year. (Via WHDH)
In December nearly 2,000 people died when a super typhoon of similar intensity hit the Philippines. (Via YouTube / WestPacWx)
The expected 1,200 death toll is just an initial estimate and could rise in the next few days. The BBC reports some towns are reporting bodies lining the streets. Now thousands of soldiers are trying to work on the rescue effort, especially for people in outlying areas.
Officials say many devastated islands aren't accessible for now but worry the death toll will go up once they gain access.
