Philippines: 400,000 Evacuated, at Least 4 Dead as Tropical Storm Bualoi Hits

Authorities in the Philippines ordered the evacuation of around 400,000 people and confirmed at least four fatalities Friday as Tropical Storm Bualoi struck the archipelago, compounding the damage left by Super Typhoon Ragasa.

Claudio Yugot, head of civil defense in the Bicol region on Luzon island, said the deaths occurred when walls collapsed and trees were uprooted during the storm.

The Philippines is annually hit by about 20 tropical cyclones, with poorer regions frequently at the greatest risk. Scientists warn climate change is rendering these storms more intense and destructive.