Record-breaking winds reaching speeds of 170 mph ripped across the Philippines on Friday as Typhoon Haiyan became one of the country's most powerful storms ever and the strongest this year, CBS News reported.

The typhoon, which is the equivalent of a hurricane for storms originating in the eastern pacific ocean, first hit land on the southern point of Samar Island, according to CBS News. It's caused landslides, destroyed power lines, and forced the evacuation of 720,000 people. Four people have been killed by storm-related incidents.

Among those forced to leave their homes were towns across the central portion of the Philippines and the people of Bohol, whose residents had been living in tents and camps after a 7.2 earthquake earlier this year.

"When you're faced with such a scenario, you can only pray, and pray and pray," said Gov. Roger Mercado of the eastern Philippine province of Southern Leyte.

Because of the area's vulnerability to landslides, 31,000 of Southern Leyte's approximate 400,000 residents were evacuated, according to CBS.

"My worst fear is there will be many massive loss of lives and property," Mercado said.

The strength of the storm, which, according to Mercado, darkened daytime skies to night, may ultimately spare the region from further damage and loss of life.

Jeff Masters, meteorology director at the private firm Weather Underground, said the typhoon is moving so fast that it will likely pass through the area and into the South China Sea before it can cause any major flooding.

As Haiyan approached land, it generated winds of 195 mph with a peak of 235 mph -- speeds that, if held on land, would have surpassed Hurricane Camille's 190 mph winds in 1969 when it struck the southeastern portion of the United States, according to CBS.

The Philippines has been hit by 24 storms this year, above its annual average of 20, according to The Center For Disaster Philanthropy.