Super Typhoon Leon Threatens Taiwan and Philippines

Super Typhoon Kong-rey, also known locally as Leon, has intensified to Category 4 strength with winds of 240 kph and is moving towards Taiwan and the Philippines. It is expected to make landfall in Taiwan's Taitung county by Thursday, prompting sea and land warnings and expectations of heavy rainfall and high waves. PAGASA in the Philippines has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals, predicting that Leon could reach super typhoon status as it approaches Batanes. The storm has already affected northern Luzon, causing evacuations in anticipation of gale-force winds and potential landfall. Both Taiwan and the Philippines are preparing for significant impacts from the storm, which follows recent storms like Typhoon Krathon and Tropical Storm Kristine.