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.

The fifth major storm in three weeks is approaching the Philippines, prompting more largescale evacuations and a United Nations request for emergency funds to help the government ease the plight of hard-hit villagers.

Typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) slammed into the Philippines' already disaster-ravaged north on Thursday, as authorities rushed to evacuate thousands of people from coastal areas.