Tropical storm lashes northern Philippines

A tropical storm lashed the northern Philippines with strong wind and rain Tuesday, injuring at least two people and prompting the president to close schools and government offices in the capital and outlying provinces.

Tropical Storm Ma-on slammed into Maconacon town in Isabela province Tuesday morning with sustained winds of 68 miles per hour and gusts of up to 93 mph and was set to barrel northwestward through northern provinces before blowing away from the country overnight, forecasters said.

Two villagers were injured and brought to hospitals after being hit by fallen trees in Cagayan province, disaster-response officials said, and more than 500 people in Cagayan and nearby provinces were evacuated from villages that are prone to flash floods, landslides and tidal surges.