Super typhoon Maysak threatens Philippines

A few days after causing widespread, deadly destruction in Micronesia, Maysak has intensified into a super typhoon and is expected to threaten the Philippines. The large cyclone is projected to slam into the island nation

this weekend, putting officials and the military on alert, The Associated Press reported. Armed forces were ordered to prepare for storm response in the northern islands of the country, where Maysak is currently on a collision course. The typhoon could also cancel summer vacation plans for thousands in the Catholic nation, where many citizens travel to home provinces and resorts to celebrate Easter, AP also said. Maysak struck Micronesia's Chuuk State on Sunday evening, killing at least five people and demolishing up to 95 percent of tin houses on the island, according to Guampdn.com. Communications systems on the island, which has a population around 50,000, were down this weekend, and the full extent of the damage caused by Maysak's battering winds and rain is still unknown. Kembo Mida Jr., a Chuuk State resident and owner of the L5 hotel, witnessed the storm's destruction first-hand and spoke to Marianas Variety. "Yap must prepare. Chuuk was devastated. L5 also suffered damage from wind and flooding throughout the building. Houses were blown away and trees snapped in half. It was very dangerous and scary," Mida said. Guampdn.com reports that the Ayuda Foundation is already working to provide aid to Chuuk by filling up a 40-foot container with food and building materials for the island's residents. In a radio broadcast, Federated States of Micronesia public information officer Marz Akapito said that boats would arrive on Chuuk with water bottles and medical supplies. After Maysak passes Yap, other boats will conduct more thorough damage assessments. Chuuk locals use mango, banana and cocounut trees, many of which were pulverized by Maysak's winds, as a main source of food. "I was lucky I have a concrete house, unfortunately I (can) not say the same for many of my fellow Chuukese. Ships have sunk. Homes destroyed. Breadfruits, mangoes, bananas and coconuts our local source of food... trimmed down to just stems and branches," resident Hiroyuki Mori said. Meanwhile, Yap is also preparing for Maysak's impacts as the storm approaches. According to Yap Lt. Gov. James Yangetmai, the outer east islands are in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1 while the western islands are at COR 3. Shelters open at COR 2. Seeing as though most homes of the island are made of tin, shelter will be necessary if Maysak continues its current track. A similar situation unfolded in the South Pacific weeks ago. In mid-March, Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu, killing 11 and leaving thousands homeless as it wiped out miles of foliage. 

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