Typhoon Soudelor May Hit Taiwan With Same Force as Hurricane Katrina. Typhoon Soudelor could land a direct hit on the Taiwanese capital of Taipei with the same force as 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina, forecasters warned Friday.

"It is barreling down on Taiwan and winds will strengthen to around 130 mph by the time it hits at some point this afternoon U.S. time," Weather Channel forecaster Michael Palmer said. "There will undoubtedly be some significant damage, there will be some massive waves and flash flooding."
Almost 7 million people in Taipai's metropolitan area could be affected as Soudelor makes its way across the center of the country, Palmer said.

Hurricane Katrina featured winds of around 127 mph a decade ago when it walloped Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.