Original source (on modern site)
Taipei/WENZHOU, China - Typhoon Bavi pummeled Japan's southern Sakishima Island chain with heavy rain and violent winds on Saturday as it headed toward China, prompting the evacuation of more than 600,000 people. On the island of Ishigaki, in Okinawa Prefecture, small pieces of debris could be seen flying across empty streets, with only a scattering of vehicles braving the gale and rain. Boats at a local harbor rocked in the strong currents brought on by the large and strong storm, which had brought maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometers per hour near its center. Authorities had issued a warning of gusts reaching up to 198 kph.