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Typhoon Kills 10 in the Philippines

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Updated Jul 16, 2014

At least 10 people were killed this week after a typhoon blew through the Philippines.

More than 400,000 people were evacuated and the capital was shut down due to Typhoon Rammasun, the strongest storm to hit the country this year.

"Our weather is improving as the typhoon is moving further away," Rene Paciente of the weather bureau said, adding storm alerts in various part of the country were lifted or lowered.

Major roads in Luzon were blocked by fallen trees, electricity poles and debris.

"I am happily surprised because of the minimal casualties and damage," said Public Works and Highway Secretary Rogelio Singson. 

Singson also said the typhoon passed through the most populated area of the country, which boasts about 17 million people.

Authorities said the government was better prepared for Rammasun after Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in November.

The typhoon was one of the biggest cyclones known to have made landfall, killing more than 6,100 and leaving many without homes. Haiyan was a category 5.

Rammasun was a category 1 storm.

"They are scared because their experiences during Haiyan last year are still fresh," said Rhea Catada, who works for Oxfam in Tacloban. "Now they are evacuating voluntarily and leaving behind their belongings." 

According to reports, some of the storm deaths include a 25-year-old woman who was hit by a falling electricity pole and died and a pregnant woman who was killed when a wall of the house collapsed.

Publication date: July 16, 2014