Story highlights Super typhoon makes landfall near Taitung, Taiwan; 3 deaths reported

One social media user says streets look as if a "bomb has gone off"

Storm slows as it crosses Taiwan, downgraded to typhoon

(CNN) Super typhoon Nepartak made landfall in Taiwan early Friday, about 15 kilometers south of the eastern city of Taitung, tearing roofs off buildings, flipping cars and dumping rain across the island.

So far, three deaths and 142 injuries have been reported by the Taiwan Central Emergency Operations Center after the typhoon packed winds of up to 240 kph (150 mph).

The storm hammered the eastern coast of Taiwan with torrential rain and wind for several hours prior to arrival, with photos on social media showing cars destroyed by the onslaught.

Taiwan's rugged and mountainous terrain has slowed Nepartak, which has been downgraded from a super typhoon to a typhoon by Friday lunchtime. Forecasters say the storm will leave Taiwan by late Friday and will hit eastern China early Saturday local time.

More than 16,000 people were evacuated from the worst affected areas, and an official told CNN two railway systems in the country are out of service.

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