Winds are very strong. It's been an hour of wind lashing and heavy rains," Sherrywin Simon, who is visiting family in Tacloban, wrote early Sunday morning local time. "Thankfully no howling, which makes it less frightening, but it makes the sound of big waves smashing against a stony mountain terrain."
Hagupit is forecast to make at least six landfalls from Saturday night to Monday morning as it passes through the island nation, the Philippine weather service reported.
"The greatest danger from the storm may come from its rains," meteorologist Jeff Masters said. "Hagupit's slow forward speed will allow torrential rains to fall for a long period of time, and widespread rainfall amounts of 10-15 inches are likely, with some mountainous areas receiving 15-25 inches.