220mph! World’s strongest storm this year sets sight on Japan and Taiwan

Super Typhoon Soudelor is barrelling towards Taiwan, Japan and China after leaving a trail of destruction in the Northern Mariana islands. The cyclone has developed into the world’s most powerful storm of the year with wind gusts up to 220mph (354kph) that have ripped down telegraph poles and flipped over cars. A state of emergency has been declared on the islands where some 400 residents are sheltering in emergency accommodation after the storm tore roofs off homes and caused power cuts.

I’ve seen multiple primary power poles down; I’ve seen cars flipped over the road; I’ve seen lots of torn roofs.

John Hirsh, from the American Red Cross in Saipan

Waves up to 30ft (nine metres) high hit the island of Saipan according to the National Weather Service, and ten patients were being treated for cuts and bruises at the island’s Commonwealth health centre. Soudelor is forecast to surge west-northwest over the western Pacific Ocean during the next few days where it is expected to weaken before hitting Taiwan at the weekend.

The wind busted out my bedroom window and flooded the room. I was terrified that my shutters would break my sliding doors.

Saipan resident Jacquelyn Belk

Science Soudelor