Authorities evacuated 1.3 million people from areas along China’s south-eastern coast today ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Saomai.

Typhoon Aere whipped northern Taiwan with gusty winds and heavy rain today, while China began evacuating 249,000 people from coastal areas as it braced for the storm that has killed at least seven people.

The most powerful typhoon to hit China in seven years killed at least 63 people in the country’s southeast, injured more than 1,800 and knocked down thousands of homes.