Typhoon Fitow strikes eastern China

Typhoon Fitow slammed into eastern China Monday with powerful winds and heavy rains that killed two people, cut power and suspended travel services.

The National Meteorological Center said Fitow struck Fujian province with winds of up to 94 mph in the early morning hours. It dumped torrential rain across the southeastern seaboard, with reported rainfall up to 8 inches in some parts before weakening into a tropical storm.

As Fitow approached land on Sunday, authorities issued a red alert – the highest warning – evacuating more than half a million people and calling fishing boats back to shore.

The provincial flood relief agency in Zhejiang, which neighbors Fujian, said 574,000 people had been evacuated by Sunday evening and 35,800 vessels returned to shore. Fujian's government said 177,000 people had been moved to safety and nearly 30,000 fishing boats called back.

The typhoon cut power in towns and counties in Zhejiang province while high-speed rail services in the region were suspended. At least 27 flights out of Wenzhou airport in Zhejiang were canceled Sunday, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Xinhua said two people were killed in Wenzhou, including a 55-year-old man who was blown off a hill while heading out to help rescue a stranded fisherman.

Before striking China, Fitow skirted the northern coast of Taiwan, causing many flight disruptions and dumping large quantities of rain on the island. Only minimal damage was reported.

The Associated Press