The Philippines evacuated tens of thousands of people from their homes and cancelled dozens of flights on Saturday, as a super typhoon threatened to unleash heavy rains and powerful winds that could trigger floods and storm surges.

The Philippines' weather service warned Saturday that Super Typhoon Man-yi was intensifying and could have a "potentially catastrophic" impact when it hits the archipelago nation. "Potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation looms for northeastern Bicol region as Super Typhoon 'Pepito' further intensifies,

The country’s weather agency is warning of life-threatening tidal surges of up to nearly 10 feet, urging all ships to remain in port or immediately take shelter.