Super Typhoon Haiyan May Leave More Than 10,000 Dead

Super Typhoon Haiyan is weakening over southern China, after cutting a path through the Southwest Pacific and into Vietnam and leaving as many as 10,000 people dead.

Haiyan arrived in the Philippines on November 7, 2013, boasting 190-195 mph sustained winds — equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane — and temporary gusts of up to 235 mph.  The sustained winds were stronger than all but three tropical cyclones in world history, and stronger than any other tropical cyclone that’s ever made landfall. (“Hurricane,” “typhoon” and “cyclone” are all different regional names for the same weather phenomenon.)  An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, and individual storms have killed over one thousand in the past.

Super Typhoon Haiyan May Leave More Than 10,000 Dead