[steve86]

The Philippine article I read said that wind gusts were clocked well into Cat V territory at one point.

[blueplum]

I wouldn’t be surprised from the damage photos coming out.Hope you can get in contact with your loved ones soon

[wannabegeek]

The Philippine article you read said that wind gusts were clocked well into Cat V territory at one point?

AP probably is super exaggerated, "sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 270 kph (168 mph)?"

PhilStar says,

The typhoon Odette has further intensified with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 205 kph, and a central pressure of 945 hectoPascals.

Odette is heading westward at 25 kph and is forecast to maintain its strength while moving over the West Philippine Sea. 

165 KPH not 165 MPH!

That's not cyclone yet.