- Typhoon Hagupit downgraded from Super Typhoon, but residents still warned storm could be deadly
- Hagupit is expected to make landfall Saturday evening on either Eastern or Northern Samar province
- Forecasts predict typhoon will skirt north of city of Tacloban
(CNN) -- The Philippines, still scarred by last year's devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan, braced itself for another potentially catastrophic storm, with millions rushing to evacuate, stock up on supplies and take cover.
Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Ruby, is expected to make landfall Saturday evening, according to PAGASA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
It is approaching the Philippines from the western Pacific Ocean and is projected to make landfall on the Eastern Samar or Northern Samar province. The storm is expected to skirt north of the city of Tacloban, which was devastated by Haiyan last year.
Tacloban braces for Super Typhoon Hagupit 
Super typhoon could hit Philippines INTERACTIVE: See the latest satellite and path of the storm
Although the storm was downgraded from a super typhoon to a typhoon on Friday morning, it is still packing potentially devastating sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (133 miles per hour) with gusts that could reach up to 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour).
It remains unclear which way Typhoon Hagupit will shift after landfall. Most forecasters predict it will move northwest through the island nation, passing south of Manila. PAGASA projects that the storm will exit the country on Wednesday.
Hagupit, the name used by World Meteorological Organization, means "lash" in Filipino.
Fears over effects of the storm
With the storm fast approaching, authorities are not only worried about the typhoon itself, but the effects of the fierce winds, possible flooding and storm surge.
PAGASA warned of intense rainfall, warning of rainfall between 7.5 and 20 millimeters per hour and rough seas. It also warned of storm surge that could reach up to 5 meters (16 feet) high.
Last year, Haiyan's massive storm surge caught many people off guard as it roared in off the Gulf of Leyte, splintering buildings and tossing large ships onto dry land.
Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez said they're better prepared this year, having learned the lessons of Haiyan a year ago. Residents are taking the storm warnings very seriously and most people have fled the city, he told CNN.
The ferocious storm obliterated homes, smashed entire neighborhoods into tangled heaps of debris. More than 6,000 people were killed last year.
Dear God, we all know You can hear our prayers... Please make everyone safe. Amen 🙏 . #RubyPh #keepsafe http://t.co/Mlr9Fm4osI
— EJS (@ericjohnsalut) December 4, 2014 Multiple domestic flights on local carrier Cebu Air involving destinations like Butuan, Surigao and Tandag on the east coast have been canceled due to weather.
Many Filipinos took to social media to spread warnings, urge each other to prepare and pray for the country.
CNN's Judy Kwon and Jethro Mullen contributed to this report.
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