Huge storms lash two continents

Two continents were bracing for the full force of huge storms last night, as Hurricane Emily threatened Texas after sweeping over the coast of Mexico and Typhoon Haitang swirled over Hangzhou City in China.

Hurricane Emily headed for Texas after hitting Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, ripping up homes with 215km/h winds causing  a handful of deaths.

Cars and even a light plane were tossed around by the winds on Mexico's Caribbean coast as residents and holidaymakers alike huddled in storm shelters.

In Asia, Haitang swirled towards China's southeast coast after killing up to four people in Taiwan.

The storm was packing maximum windspeeds of up to 162km/h, making it a "moderate" typhoon.

More than 850,000 people were evacuated from the southeastern Chinese provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.

- REUTERS