TYPHOON: Aftermath of Storm in Philippines

Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms in world history, crashed into the island of Samar Friday morning and sped across the central islands of the Philippines.

Haiyan's maximum sustained winds of 195 mph, rains, and storm surge are expected to cause widespread devastation throughout the central Philippines.

We know millions are at risk. Many areas lost power. Hundreds of flights were canceled. But many factors remain unclear:

Death toll: Four people were killed, according to the Associated Press. At least two people were electrocuted in storm-related accidents, one person was
killed by a fallen tree and another was struck by lightning, official reports said. But the death toll could rise as some of the worst affected areas remain cut off without power and communication. "During the actual impact of the typhoon, we have yet to record any fatalities," Reynaldo Balido Jr., a spokesman for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, told USA TODAY.

At least 748,000 people were evacuated and many are staying in about 664 evacuation centers, which covers eight regions, Balido said.

Full extent of the damage: " We are not sure of the damage of the typhoon," Balido said. "It has been devastating in terms of electricity, communication lines, houses and buildings especially in the area where it first hit the land."

With at least 20 typhoons hitting the Philippines every year, its people are familiar with nature's power, but none have experienced what some meteorologists have called the most powerful typhoon ever to make landfall.

Debris litter the road by the coastal village in Legazpi city following a storm surge brought about by powerful Typhoon Haiyan in Albay province on Nov. 8.(Photo: Nelson Salting AP)

What's next: Haiyan will remain a dangerous typhoon as it emerges into the South China Sea today and continues to move to the west-northwest this weekend, AccuWeather reports. The eventual track of Haiyan will bring the storm toward Vietnam and Laos by Sunday -- still as a strong typhoon -- with continued impacts expected into Monday.

"As it passes by the west Philippines sea, the typhoon will get strong again. And by the time it reaches Vietnam, it may not be as strong as the Philippines but it will inflict damage," Balido added.