THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE in the northeastern Philippines have fled their homes ahead of the arrival of a powerful ‘super typhoon‘ that is due to hit the area, the BBC reports.

Typhoon Megi is bringing with it powerful storms of lashing rain and driving winds that have exceeded 225km/h.

It is the strongest storm to hit the Philippines in over four years.

The strength of a typhoon is classed in much the same way as an Atlantic Ocean hurricane, with level of severity ranging from one (lowest) to five (highest). Megi is classed as a level five typhoon – or ‘super typhoon‘ – but is expected to slightly weaken as it spreads northwards.

The northern provinces of Cagayan and Isabela are on the highest storm alert. Reuters has reported that Megi hit north-eastern Isabela at about 1125 (0325 GMT). The Associated Press has reported that huge waves, strong rains and powerful winds have hit the country – bringing power lines down with them.

One man in Cagaya has been reported missing.

Emergency services have been stocking up on food and medicines, and farmers are rushing to harvest their crops before the storms come, according to the BBC.

All sea travel has been banned.

In 2006, a storm with winds of 155km/h triggered mudslides, burying villages and killing about 1,000 people.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the US Navy says Megi is expected to weaken to typhoon intensity as it crosses the Cordillera mountain range.

However, it is then expected to exit over the South China Sea and re-intensify as it heads for southern China.