Thousands flee as Typhoon Koppu unleashes its fury on Philippines

Typhoon Koppu wrecked houses, tore down trees and unleashed landslides and floods, forcing thousands to flee as it pummeled the northern Philippines on Sunday, officials said.

No casualties were reported but more than 15,000 people were evacuated from their homes, with more expected to flee as the slow-moving storm moved north across the main island of Luzon before it was forecast to leave the country on Wednesday.

"We are fortunate because as of this time there has been no need for a major search and rescue operation," Alexander Pama, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council, said in Manila.