A powerful typhoon has struck southern China, about 100km north-east of Hong Kong, killing at least two people and causing tens of thousands to be evacuated.

Typhoon Usagi made landfall in Guangdong province. Two people were killed by a tree blown down by strong winds in Shantou City, Xinhua reported.

China's National Meteorological Centre has issued its highest alert and authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 80,000 people in Fujian province.

Evacuations also took place in Guangdong, where more than 44,000 fishing boats were ordered back to port.

Chinese authorities said they have deployed more than 50,000 disaster-relief personnel.

Usagi - which means rabbit in Japanese - was classified as a severe typhoon, packing sustained winds of 175 kilometres per hour (109mph), with gusts of up to 213kph (132mph).

It was expected to hit Hong Kong after lashing parts of the Philippines and Taiwan with heavy rain and fierce winds that caused at least two deaths.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled and shipping was halted in the former British colony.

However, the typhoon veered away at the last minute and made landfall near Shanwei. It was moving west-northwest at 22kph (14mph), the Hong Kong Observatory said.

Usagi Zhejiang
A man dodges tidal waves under the influence of Typhoon Usagi in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province Reuters
Typhoon Usagi China
The storm surge past a barrier on the shore in Shenzhen Reuters
Fujian Storm
A storm surge hits the shores as Typhoon Usagi approaches Xiamen, Fujian province Reuters
Usagi Waves
Waves caused by Typhoon Usagi rock boats anchored at a port in Quanzhou Reuters
Guangdong Typhoon
A man pushes his bicycle against the wind in Shantou, Guangdong province Reuters
Typhoon Usagi Satellite
Super Typhoon Usagi is seen heading west-northwest between the Philippines and Taiwan through the Luzon Strait Reuters
Typhoon Usagi Philippines
A boy holds on to the concrete bank as rough waves crash along the coast of Manila Reuters
China