Aug 7, 2015

Taiwanese businesses and schools were closing early Friday as Typhoon Soudelor moved slowly westward toward the island, bringing heavy rain and winds.

As of 1:15 p.m. local time, the storm – among the strongest to form in the Pacific so far this year – was situated due east of the island and was moving about 13 miles per hour, Taiwan’s central weather bureau said. It was expected to make landfall early Saturday local time, sweep across the island, and then continue on toward mainland China.

: A mother holds her children in strong gusts from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: A woman and children brave the strong winds from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: A local resident walks on a suspension bridge as typhoon Soudelor approaches in Pitan, the Xindien district in the New Taipei City on August 7, 2015. Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau predicted the storm would make landfall sometime. It has already forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people from outlying islands popular with tourists. (AFP Photo/Sam Yeh)

: A couple takes a “selfie” photograph in front of the crashing waves from Typhoon Soudelor off the coast of Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Huge waves from approaching Typhoon Soudelor crash into breakwaters off of Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Local residents enjoy the scenic spot next to tourist boats which been moved to the river bank as typhoon Soudelor approaches in Pitan, the Xindien district in the New Taipei City on August 7, 2015. Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau predicted the storm would make landfall sometime. It has already forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people from outlying islands popular with tourists. (AFP Photo/Sam Yeh)

: Two women brave the winds from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: A man and a boy shelter behind a bus stop in the strong winds from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Military soldiers stand guard outside of the trucks while evacuating local residents from Gian village in Hualien as Typhoon Soudelor approaches eastern Taiwan on August 7, 2015. An eight-year-old girl died after being swept out to sea off Taiwan as Typhoon Soudelor bore down on the island, forcing thousands to flee and troops to be placed on standby, officials said. (AFP Photo/Allen Chen)

: An elderly woman is escorted in the strong winds from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Office workers brave the strong winds from Typhoon Soudelor in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Taiwan’s coast guard block off coastal walkways as Typhoon Soudelor approaches in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: A woman braves the winds as she watches waves from approaching Typhoon Soudelor in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Huge waves from approaching Typhoon Soudelor break against the shoreline in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Visitors to a coastal park photograph waves from approaching Typhoon Soudelor in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

: Employees of commercial ships and fishing vessels “rescue” a dummy during an emergency rescue drill as Typhoon Soudelor approaches in Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Soudelor is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the island late Friday with winds speeds over 170 km per hour (100 mph) and gusts over 200 km per hour (120 mph) according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Taiwan braces for the arrival of Typhoon Soudelor

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