The Philippines rarely escape a year without experiencing a devastating typhoon. 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 300km/h. Its likely the strongest storm to form on the planet this year. Evacuations are already underway as the storm produce damaging winds and flooding rains. Some of the country's most popular islands for tourists, including world-famous Boracay as well as Bohol, are in the typhoon's path.