Legazpi, Philippines • Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines' eastern coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 109 mph and gusts of 130 mph, Hagupit made landfall in Dolores, a coastal town facing the Pacific in Eastern Samar province, according to the Philippines' weather agency. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Although it was unlikely to reach the unprecedented strength of Typhoon Haiyan, Hagupit's strong winds and heavy rain were enough to possibly cause major damage to an impoverished region still reeling from the devastating November 2013 storm, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing.
"We are totally in the dark here. The only light comes from flashlights," police Senior Inspector Alex Robin said by phone late Saturday from Dolores, hours before Hagupit made landfall
From Eastern Samar, Hagupit — Filipino for "smash" or "lash" — was expected to hammer parts of a string of island provinces that were devastated by Haiyan's tsunami-like storm surges and ferocious winds. Hagupit weakened slightly Saturday but remained dangerously powerful and erratic.
Robin said about 600 families had hunkered down in Dolores' three-story municipal hall, one of many emergency shelters in the town.
"Everyone here is just looking for a place to sleep," he said. "All the windows are closed, but it is still cool because of the wind and the rain."
Eastern Samar province Rep. Ben Evardone said "Everybody is in fear because of what happened during [Haiyan]. We can already feel the wrath of the typhoon. Everybody is praying."
Army troops deployed to supermarkets and major roads in the typhoon's path to prevent looting and chaos and clear debris, all of which slowed the government's response last year, said Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, head of the Philippines' 120,000-strong military.
While unlikely to reach Haiyan's strength, forecasters said Hagupit's maximum sustained winds and gusts were strong enough to set off deadly storm surges and landslides and cause heavy damage to communities and agriculture.
With a whirling band of rain clouds spanning 373 miles, Hagupit has gained speed and was moving westward at 10 mph, according to forecasters.
In the central city of Tacloban, where Haiyan's storm surges killed thousands of people and leveled villages, news of the approaching typhoon rekindled painful memories. Many residents fled to storm shelters, a sports stadium and churches even before authorities urged them to evacuate.
"I'm scared," said Haiyan survivor Jojo Moro. "I'm praying to God not to let another disaster strike us again. We haven't recovered from the first."
A woman and his baby watch strong waves from Typhoon Hagupit hit Atimonan, Quezon province, eastern Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Haunted by Typhoon Haiyan's massive devastation last year, more than 600,000 people fled Philippine villages and the military went on full alert Saturday to brace for a powerful storm only hours away from the country's eastern coast. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A man throws wood along the shore as strong waves from Typhoon Hagupit hit Atimonan, Quezon province, eastern Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. A wide swath of the Philippines, including the capital Manila, braced Friday for a dangerously erratic and powerful typhoon approaching from the Pacific, about a year after the country was lashed by Typhoon Haiyan that left more than 7,300 people dead. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A girl walks along the shore as strong waves from Typhoon Hagupit hit Atimonan, Quezon province, eastern Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Haunted by Typhoon Haiyan's massive devastation last year, more than 600,000 people fled Philippine villages and the military went on full alert Saturday to brace for a powerful storm only hours away from the country's eastern coast. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A soldier watches as workers unload sacks of rice supplies which are intended for typhoon evacuees Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 in Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines. A wide swath of the Philippines, including the capital Manila, braced Friday for a dangerously erratic and powerful typhoon approaching from the Pacific, about a year after the country was lashed by Typhoon Haiyan that left more than 7,300 people dead. (AP Photo)
A man throws wood along the shore as strong waves brought Typhoon Hagupit hit Atimonan, Quezon province, eastern Philippines, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Haunted by Typhoon Haiyan's massive devastation last year, more than 600,000 people fled Philippine villages and the military went on full alert Saturday to brace for a powerful storm only hours away from the country's eastern coast. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Residents take shelter inside the provincial capitol of Surigao city close to central Philippines on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 in anticipation of typhoon Hagupit which is expected to hit land Saturday afternoon. A wide swath of the Philippines, including the capital Manila, braced Friday for a dangerously erratic and powerful typhoon approaching from the Pacific, about a year after the country was lashed by Typhoon Haiyan that left more than 7,300 people dead. (AP Photo/Erwin Mascarinas)
Filipino families seek refuge at a school used as an evacuation center as they prepare for Typhoon Hagupit in Legazpi, Albay province, eastern Philippines Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines' east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Filipino children sleep as families seek refuge at a school used as an evacuation center as they prepare for Typhoon Hagupit in Legazpi, Albay province, eastern Philippines, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines' east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A Filipino woman uses her mobile phone at a school as they prepare for Typhoon Hagupit in Legazpi, Albay province, eastern Philippines Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines' east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Filipino Jonrey Pawang sleeps beside his family's belongings as they take refuge at a school used as an evacuation center, in Legazpi, Albay province, eastern Philippines Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the central Philippines' east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees in a region where 650,000 people have fled to safety, still haunted by the massive death and destruction wrought by a monster storm last year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
The Philippines Misagh Medina Bahadoran, left, and Thailand's Sarawut Masuk battle for ball possession during the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup final rounds group competition Saturday Dec. 6, 2014 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, Philippines. The match ended in a scoreless draw. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)