The Philippines is getting ready for its worst typhoon since the 'world's strongest typhoon to make landfall' brought destruction to a very similar region last year. In November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan lashed the islands of Samar and Leyte before moving over the central Philippines, leading to the deaths of over 6300 people. The typhoon, which was stronger than any tropical cyclone to hit the Australian coastline, recorded average wind speeds of 305km/h as it made landfall. Today, Super Typhoon Hagupit is bearing down on the central Philippines from the east. Unfortunately, the islands of Samar and Leyte are once again in the firing line, with the most likely track taking the huge system across Samar. Hagupit is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning Australian time, with average winds of 230km/h and wind gusts close to 280km/h. This is the equivalent of a category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone in Australian waters. This system is therefore likely to cause widespread destruction. This would be devastating for the communities that are still struggling to get back on their feet in Samar and Leyte. The system will then only slowly weaken as it makes its way inland across the central Philippines over the following days. By the time it reaches the other side of the Philippines it is still likely to be the equivalent of a category 2 or 3 cyclone with average winds in excess of 100km/h.