Super Typhoon Man-yi, with winds up to 160 mph, made landfall in Catanduanes, Philippines, prompting the evacuation of over 500,000 people in the Bicol region and thousands more in surrounding provinces.

The storm, a Category 5 equivalent, intensified rapidly, exceeding typical intensification rates.

Signal 5 warnings, the highest level, have been issued, with authorities warning of catastrophic storm surges, severe flooding, and landslides across eastern Luzon, CNN has reported.

Man-yi is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in two weeks, a record-breaking event, and is expected to impact areas northeast of Manila on Sunday.

Written by B.C. Begley