July 10 (UPI) -- Typhoon Maria pummeled Japan's southwestern islands Tuesday and is headed toward Taiwan, forecasters said.
Maria left Miyako Island, southwest of Okinawa, after pounding the area with 127 mph winds and 155 mph gusts, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said. Areas of Japan already flooded from previous rains were spared a direct hit from the typhoon, but the Ryukyu Islands were not.