Super Typhoon Meranti

Strongest super typhoon of the year barrels toward China, Taiwan

Super Typhoon Meranti is barreling down on Taiwan, bringing wind speeds of up to 230 miles per hour (370 kph), faster than a Formula One race car, and torrential rains.

Schools and offices across the south of the island have closed and dozens of flights have been canceled, according to the official China News Agency.

Super Typhoon Meranti targets Taiwan, mainland China

Meranti is forecast to make landfall along the southern tip of the island of Taiwan, home to more than 23 million people, on Wednesday morning local time.

Fortunately, most of the population lives on the northern and western side of the island. Even though Meranti, which likely will still be a super typhoon at landfall (meaning the winds are in excess of 150 mph/240 kph) on the southern tip, the entire island will feel the storm's wrath.