‘Egypt’s Jon Stewart’ is still off the air

The Philippines on Friday were battered by the strongest storm ever recorded to make landfall, Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Reports are still emerging of the damage, but it roared ashore with sustained winds in excess of 195 mph and gusts of up to 235 mph. The storm, if it were in the Atlantic Ocean, would be a strong Category 5 Hurricane, with winds considerably faster than the deadly hurricanes Andrew and Katrina that battered the US.

The BBC has footage and eye-witness accounts from residents as the super-storm approached.

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Weather around the world

Super Typhoon Haiyan has battered the Philippines, but maintained most of its strength. Its sustained winds are still 165 mph as the storm moves toward Vietnam — still a remarkably powerful super storm. The storm is expected to make landfall in the area of central Vietnam by the end of the weekend, according to Accuweather.