( CNN ) -- Rain lashed parts of the Philippines on Saturday as Typhoon Hagupit barreled toward the coast , bringing roaring winds and the threat of massive storm surges . Satellite images show the eye of the storm , which lost its super typhoon status again Saturday , about 250 kilometers ( 150 miles ) off the eastern coast of the island nation . The storm , the strongest so far this year , is expected to make landfall Saturday evening or Sunday morning , local time , over the Eastern Samar to Northern Samar area , according to the Philippine Atmospheric , Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration ( PAGASA ) . It 's packing sustained winds of 175 kilometers an hour ( 109 mph ) near the storm 's center , with gusts of up to 230 kph ( 143 mph ) . Millions of people have been scrambling to get out of the typhoon 's way , or battening down in hotels on higher ground , away from the coast . Public storm warning signals have been applied in a number of provinces amid predictions winds could rip off roofs , cut power and damage buildings . Residents in low-lying areas have been warned about possible flash floods and landslides . Preparing for the worst . While current forecasts show the storm skirting north of Tacloban , the people there are n't taking any chances . They suffered enormously when Super Typhoon Haiyan smashed into the coast last November , killing more than 6,000 people and creating apocalyptic scenes of splintered houses , ships on streets and and debris piles for as far as the eye could see . Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez said they 're better prepared this year after learning the lessons of Haiyan a year ago . Residents are taking the storm warnings seriously and most people have fled the city , he said . This time , Hagupit , known locally as Typhoon Ruby , is expected to cross the coast farther north , toward Legazpi . Officials there expected to evacuate an estimated 75,000 people ahead of the typhoon 's arrival , Mayor Noel Rosal said Friday . `` There 's a danger that there will be heavy rains for about four hours and I am very , very worried at this moment , '' Rosal said . Most forecasters predict the storm will move northwest through the island nation after landfall , passing south of the capital city of Manila . PAGASA projects that the storm will exit the country on Wednesday . Hagupit , the name used by World Meteorological Organization , means `` lash '' in Filipino . Fears over effects of the storm . With the storm fast approaching , authorities are not only worried about the typhoon itself , but the effects of the fierce winds , possible flooding and storm surge . PAGASA warned of intense rainfall between 7.5 millimeters and 20 millimeters per hour and rough seas . It also warned of storm surge that could reach up to 5 meters ( 16 feet ) high . More than 80 domestic flights were canceled , according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council . Schools , businesses and government offices closed at the end of the week to give people time to prepare . Government agencies stockpiled tens of thousands of canned food packages in case of shortages . Shop owners nailed boards on windows to protect them from wind , while fishermen moved boats onto dry land . Many Filipinos took to social media to spread warnings and urge one another to prepare and pray for the country . `` Hoping for the best , expecting the worst , '' Twitter user jinglebelles17 posted .
The typhoon is expected to make landfall between Eastern Samar and Northern Samar . Typhoon Hagupit has weakened slightly since making landfall, but still poses a threat of catastrophic flooding in the Philippines as well as other parts of Asia. Officials warn of heavy rain and storm surges .