China braces for Typhoon Megi
Fishing boats sit moored in a typhoon shelter in Hong Kong
More than 150,000 people have been evacuated
Megi killed at least 11 people in the Philippines
China is girding for possible devastation along its coast
Beijing, China (CNN) -- China has evacuated more than 150,000 people and recalled more than 50,000 fishing boats to port as its southern coast braces for Typhoon Megi, state-run media said Thursday.
More than 150,000 people have fled for safety in Fujian province, the Xinhua news agency said.
Megi, which killed at least 11 people in the Philippines, is expected to reach Guangdong province Saturday, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Megi was about 420 kilometers (261 miles) southeast of Hong Kong, according to the observatory.
Officials in China have issued the highest of four warnings, bracing for possible devastation in coastal areas such as Guangdong and Fujian, Xinhua said.
The warning allows local officials six hours to evacuate residents, close schools and airports, and recall vessels that are considered at risk.
Megi may be the strongest typhoon to hit China this year, Xinhua has said.
On Thursday in the Philippines, lawmakers placed the province of Pangasinan under a state of emergency, to help municipalities recover from Megi, which was known in the Philippines as Typhoon Juan.
The typhoon affected an estimated 258,844 Filipinos, leaving thousands homeless.
