Typhoon Juan (international name: Megi), the world’s strongest tropical cyclone of the year, hit the north part of the Philippines forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. Many provinces are still without power and communication signals because the typhoon smashed several power and transmission lines in the north. Rice and other agricultural crops were also destroyed.

The latest update from the local weather bureau

AS OF 5:00 AM TODAY (TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2010), TYPHOON “JUAN” WAS LOCATED AT 205 KM WEST SOUTHWEST OF LAOAG CITY (17.5°N, 118.6°E).

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 160 KPH NEAR THE CENTER
GUSTINESS: UP TO 195 KPH
FORECAST MOVEMENT: NORTHWEST
SPEED: 22 KPH
ESTIMATED CENTRAL PRESSURE: 958 hPa

For updates, check the official twitter account of the local weather bureau. The government has also set-up a Facebook page about the typhoon. Using google earth, here is an image of typhoon Juan as it hovers over the Philippines.

This video by a local TV station shows the initial damage left by the typhoon. Bayanihan Online provides a comprehensive summary of facts and helpful data about the typhoon. Tweet reactions have been mapped.

Using the #juan hashtag, here are some twitter reactions

lorbe91 we are kind of feeling the gloominess in some areas affected by the typhoon #juan
jmsibug #juan Can you guys tell if it's flooded in metro manila? Heavy rains won't stop since 2am.
redvw62 #Juan still battering #Urdaneta with very strong winds since 1 am. Network signals getting difficult to connect with
rinoaheartilly2 “@seanbenedicto: #juan ure silently scary.” Goodmorning☀
A_Torri This is a lot of rain. It hasnt stop since last night. #typhoon #megi #juan
twisted_ghal It hasnt stop raining since last night. Rain still pouring heavily and the wind is so strong. #JUAN #URDANETA
DCGWS Experiencing extremely hard rains on and off since about 8 pm last night #megi #juan
haroldlorenzo: The typhoon is supposed to be leaving the country this morning but it seems that the rain just started.
anakookai: Nothing can be worse than going to work sick w/ a super typhoon and several meetings lined up for the day. Is this what u call a challenge?
skywindtree: I really had thought #Megi / #Juan had passed Manila, but we're getting the rain and winds now. Not bad, but still. Oh well

Using the #typhoon hashtag, Manila tweeps react

YongJaco: will face the typhoon on my way home…. umbrella, please be strong… FIGHTING!! #fb
JowMapue: I'm scared to go outside, #Typhoon Megi can just lift me off the ground
LuiGestiada: home from work. eating pancit canton while watching the morning news. sad about the casualties of typhoon #megi #juan
TeN: Bye, typhoon Juan. Now be kind to Hongkong…perhaps you can just just fade away.

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center gives an initial report

As of 4:00 p.m., October 18, 2010, 781 families comprising of 3,687 individuals from Region I, II, and the CAR have been evacuated to local Community Centers, Bgry. Halls, and Gymnasium as precautionary measures after Typhoon Juan as it tracked the soil of Philippines territory.

Ilocus Sur of Region I, a road was closed due to heavy rain. In Roxas and Santiago of Isabela, interrupted power supply, uprooted trees, and roof blown away were recorded. Cagayan also suffered from strong winds, and heavy. In Benguet, Baguio, Apayao, and Mt. Province of CAR had to closed several roads due to landslides, heavy rain, and strong winds

Related posts about previous Philippines storms:

Worst Flooding in 40 years
Typhoon Ketsana batters Southeast Asia
Philippines: Flooding documented on citizen videos