Typhoon Wipha slams into coast near Shanghai

2 million evacuate after forecasts call storm the most powerful in a decade
Associated Press

SHANGHAI, China - Typhoon Wipha slammed into the coast south of Shanghai early Wednesday as authorities moved 2 million people following forecasts it would be the most powerful storm to hit eastern China in a decade.

Shanghai closed schools, delayed or postponed dozens of flights and ferry crossings and other transport links amid warnings of torrential rains and strong winds.

The storm’s eye made landfall near Cangnan in southern Zhejiang province, some 240 miles south of Shanghai, and was losing force as it moved north along the coast, state media reported.

Authorities in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Fujian province ordered 2 million people evacuated from ships and coastal regions and from housing judged to be unsafe.

The storm, with winds gusting to 145 mph, was losing force as it moved north along the coast and was expected to pass over Shanghai later Wednesday, local weather reports said.

See: Typhoon slams into China's coast