As Americans in the midwest continue their battle against flood waters, the newest extreme weather headline moves to the Philippines.

The arrival of Typhoon Fengshen via the eastern Samar island on Friday, has left floods, landslides, and a ferry disaster in its wake. By Sunday morning, the storm was battering the capital of Manila.

The death toll by Sunday afternoon was 229, with another 700 missing in the ferry sinking off the island’s Romblon province. The Philippine Coast Guard reports that four survivors were able to swim ashore, and that rescue operations continue.

The country’s National Disaster Coordinating Council reported Sunday morning that more than 70,000 people are being housed in evacuation centers.

Storm path photo courtesy Japan Meteorological Agency.