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Typhoon Bilis Slams Into Taiwan
A powerful and dangerous Typhoon Bilis (also known as Isang) roared across Taiwan on Wednesday, killing three people, bowling over power lines and trees and forcing thousands from their homes.
The powerful winds, estimated at 145-160 mph, ripped off electrical wires that killed a woman outside Taipei, and a construction worker died when a retaining wall collapsed in the suburbs, the authorities said. Another man died after he was hit by a door knocked down by wind. Heavy rain triggered landslides, and rescuers were scrambling to dig out nine farmers buried by a landslide in the central village of Jenai. More than 600,000 homes had lost power during the height of the storm, and tens of thousands across the island were moved from their homes into typhoon shelters set up by the authorities.Bilis lost some of its strength as it left Taiwan, heading toward southern China's Fujian province. At 8 a.m., Taiwan forecasters said its winds had dropped to 102 mph and was centered 50 miles west of Penghu islands traveling at a speed of 12 mph.
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