Typhoon Mirinae hits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Typhoon Mirinae slammed into the eastern Philippines, bringing high winds and heavy rain as it headed for Manila Saturday, authorities said.

GMA News reported the storm knocked out power and triggered floods as it churned across the countryside.

The Philippine network said knee-deep floodwaters were reported in the village of Salapan and brownouts were reported in parts of Luzon, including metro Manila. Power was out in Quezon province, where the typhoon made landfall, as well as parts of Bicol, Pasig City and Rizal province.

Mirinae had sustained winds of more than 90 mph, with gusts to almost 115 mph as it made landfall.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had ordered pre-emptive evacuations Thursday for Manila residents and those living in at least 16 provinces in the typhoon's path, the newspaper BusinessWorld reported.

Mirinae has followed the same track as a September storm, Ketsana. That downpour lashed Manila with the heaviest rains in 40 years.

Multiple storms that have pounded the Philippines in recent weeks have killed several hundred people.