Powerful Typhoon Sweeps Through Philippines

Residents brave a raging floodwater brought about by Typhoon Nari at San Ildefonso township, Bulacan province, north of Manila, Philippines, Oct. 12, 2013.

Associated Press quotes officials in the Philippines saying at least 13 people are dead in the wake of a powerful typhoon that swept through the northern part of the country early Saturday morning.

Officials say Typhoon Nari slammed into the east coast around midnight Friday, toppling trees and electric pylons, and dumping heavy rain across the rice-growing central plains of Luzon. Local authorities say the storm cut electricity to more than 2 million people.

Thousands of people were evacuated from coastal villages before the typhoon struck.

Nari forced U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to cancel a trip to Manilla scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Kerry told reporters Thursday the he will try to reschedule the trip in the coming weeks.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.