The Storm Haiyan

Here are some statistics about the Typhoon approaching the Phillipines:

--The western Pacific storm Haiyan has intensified without interruption since Sunday and is now a dangerous Category 5 super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 160 mph.  It is on a path due west, and landfall Friday in the central Philippines is inevitable.

-- Thousands of people in vulnerable areas of the Philippines are being relocated as the strongest storm on the planet so far this year spins toward the country.

--Packing sustained winds of 280 kilometers per hour (174 mph) and gusts as strong as 335 kilometers per hour (208 mph), Super Typhoon Haiyan was churning across the Western Pacific on Thursday toward the central Philippines.

--Its wind strength makes it equivalent to a category 5 hurricane.

--The destruction is expected to be catastrophic. Storm clouds covered the entire Philippines, stretching 1,120 miles -- equal to a distance between Florida and Canada. The deadly wind field, or tropical storm force winds, covered an area the size of Montana or Germany.

--The storm, known as Yolanda in the Philippines, is expected to still be a super typhoon, with winds in excess of 240 kilometers per hour (149 mph), when it makes landfall Friday morning in the region of Eastern Visayas.

--The storm is so large in diameter that clouds from it are affecting two-thirds of the country.

--Haiyan is probably the most powerful storm on the Earth this year, according to meteorologist Ryan Maue of WeatherBell.

--Haiyan, which is the Chinese word for a petrel seabird, is referred to as "Yolanda" in the Philippines, Masters said. It is the 28th named storm of the 2013 western Pacific typhoon season.

--The biggest worry is the possibility of mudslides... There is an eerie feeling of anticipation amongst us: excited but scared, because at this time there is total calm that we know will not last.

UPDATE AS OF THURSDAY:

All missionaries are safe as of Thursday.

UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY:

Friday AM Update: All 234 missionaries are safe! They are well secured in their homes. Missionaries from the mountains and along shorelines were moved to safer missionary apartments since Wednesday. Members were evacuated and moved to our chapels. I cannot give any detailed information from other missions. We might loose power soon. I may not be able to respond to all your specific inquiries. I will keep everyone updated through my FB. Keep us in your prayers!

Friday Noon Update: Most of the island has no power. I am using my cell for this update. We are still 2 hours from direct hit but the wind and rain are incredibly so strong! All zone leaders have reported to me that all 234 missionaries are safe. A few we have to move to another place because of flood and falling trees. Visibility due to rain is almost zero. Wind is still intensifying. I have submitted our noon report to our Area Presidency. We are on typhoon signal number 4 now.

Typhoon Update as of 4:30 PM: we do not have electricity, cable and Internet. All 234 missionaries are safe. We are currently going through the other side of the eye wall and later on the tail of the typhoon. Rain is extremely heavy and wind is super strong! Members and non members are packed in all our chapels. They are collecting water from rain for drinking and food preparation. Our missionaries have sufficient water and food supply. Our branch presidents and bishops are also monitoring their safety. Everyone is calm and planning all night for our weekend community service. Our prayers are intense and our faith is full!