Typhoon Gaemi weakens to a tropical storm as it moves inland carrying rain toward central China

What was Typhoon Gaemi has weakened to a severe tropical storm and is moving inland toward central China on after making landfall Thursday night on the east coast. The storm felled trees, flooded streets and damaged crops in China but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Eight people died in Taiwan, which Gaemi crossed at typhoon strength Thursday before heading over open waters to China. The worst loss of life, however, was in a country that Gaemi earlier passed by but didn’t strike directly: the Philippines. A steadily climbing death toll has reached 34, authorities there said Friday.