Typhoon Doksuri: Vietnam hit by 'most powerful storm in a decade'

Tens of thousands of coastal residents evacuated ahead of Typhoon Doksuri strike

Heavy rain and wind lashed Vietnam's central coast Friday as Typhoon Doksuri made landfall, prompting mass evacuations (AFP/Getty Images)

Ten-of-thousands of people were evacuated from Vietnam's coast as a typhoon expected to the "most powerful storm in a decade" approached the country.

Almost 80,000 people left their homes while local authorities tore down trees and cut power in some areas as Typhoon Doksuri made its way towards land.

Offshore, wind speeds hit 102mph, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

Vietnam's government-run weather forecast agency classified the storm as a "severe typhoon."

The winds had slowed to 80 miles an hour when the storm made landfall, according to the country's meteorological agency, but the storm had blown roofs off at least 206 houses in the city of Hue, according to the state news agency.

In other areas, electrical lines, trees and billboards have been knocked down.

Speaking on state-run TV, Agriculture Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said, "The provinces are focusing on evacuating remaining households to ensure people's safety. We also need to encourage fishermen to leave their boats, it could be harmful to their lives."

At least four fishing boats are thought to have sunk.

One person also drowned this week after floods caused by rain before the typhoon hit.