One of the strongest storms on record pummelled the Philippines, killing at least four people and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

But the country, still reeling from an earthquake last month, appeared to avoid major disaster because Typhoon Haiyan blew away before wreaking more damage.

The storm knocked out power and communications so it was impossible to get a full picture of the casualties and damage.

Officials said at least two people were electrocuted during the storm, one person was killed by a fallen tree and another struck by lightning.

Southern Leyte Governor Roger Mercado said the typhoon had triggered landslides, uprooted trees and ripped roofs off houses.

He said mayors in the province had not called in to report the damage.

"I hope that means they were spared and not the other way around," he said. "My worst fear is there will be massive loss of lives and property."

Disaster response agency head Eduardo del Rosario said the speed of the typhoon, which raced through the central islands at 25 miles per hour, meant it had not dumped enough water to cause serious flooding, often the main cause of deaths.

The evacuation of nearly 750,000 people probably helped keep the death toll down.

Haiyan had sustained winds of 147mph as it hit the Philippines, with gusts reaching 170mph - making it the worst storm in the world this year.

The US navy, which measures sustained wind speeds differently, said the typhoon reached steady speeds of 195mph with gusts of 235mph, making it the worst land storm on record.

It weakened slightly yesterday as it tore across the South China Sea but was expected to pick up speed on its way to Vietnam this morning.

Thousands of residents of Bohol were evacuated, many of whom were still camped in tents and makeshift shelters after October's 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

Dozens of flights were cancelled and a 15-foot storm surge damaged a seaside airport in Leyte city Tacloban.