FITOW Turns Deadly

Typhoon FITOW: two dead; 574,000 evacuated, 177,000 displaced; homes destroyed; power cut off to millions

Typhoon FITOW made landfall in east China’s Fujian Province early Monday, with winds of up to 201 km per hour, China’s National Meteorological Center said.

As of Monday, FITOW had claimed at least two lives, forcing 574,000 people to evacuate and 35,795 vessels to return to harbor for shelter, said a report.

FITOW, the 23rd typhoon to hit China this year, continued to move northwest weakening rapidly, said the center. Authorities issued a “Red Alert,” China’s highest weather warning, on Sunday.

“Rainstorm and winds up to 201 km per hour slashed Cangnan County and the Nanji Island Township, and some houses collapsed in the county, said the Wenzhou flood control headquarters,” the report said.

Some 177,000 people have been displaced In Fujian province, and about 30,000 fishing boats called to shore for shelter.

“The typhoon has caused suspension of bullet trains in several cities in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi and halted services on at least 35 lines that pass cities on the typhoon route, including services between Beijing and Nanjing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou and Xiamen,” said the report.

The typhoon also forced he “suspension of bullet trains in several cities in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi and halted services on at least 35 lines that pass cities on the typhoon route, including services between Beijing and Nanjing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou and Xiamen.”

Dozens of flights from Zhejiang Province including flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Kunming weer cancelled, and  coach services between Shanghai and Wenzhou were also suspended on Sunday.

Typhoon USAGI, the 19th typhoon of the year, killed dozens of people in southern Guangdong province, destroying at least 7,100 homes and causing direct economic losses of 3.24 billion yuan ($529.5 million) late September.

Related Links

• Typhoon FITOW Forces Hundreds of Thousands of Evacuations October 6, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Chased by Cyclone DANAS October 5, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Makes Minor Detour October 4, 2013
• Two Cyclones Moving Toward Japan October 1, 2013
• WUTIP Hammers Central Vietnam October 1, 2013
• Typhoon WUTIP Headed for Vietnam, Laos, Thailand September 29, 2013
• USAGI Disaster Update: 25 Dead; 7,100 Homes Destroyed September 23, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – September 25, 2013

Toll from Pakistan quake rises

About 1,000 people were killed or injured after a powerful 7.7Mw quake on Tuesday struck Baluchistan region in SW Pakistan, reports said.

“Two hundred and eighty five bodies have so far been recovered in the Awaran district,” the deputy commissioner of Awaran, the worst affected area, told Reuters.

“And 42 bodies were found in the neighboring Kech district,” he added.

Related Links

• Powerful Quake Kills Dozens in Pakistan  September 24, 2013
• Deadly Quake Prompts New Island to Rise Off Pakistan Coastline September 25, 2013

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Typhoon USAGI Kills Dozens in China

Typhoon USAGi has killed at least 29 people since making landfall in Shanwei City, in south China’s Guangdong Province on Sunday, authorities said.

As of Tuesday evening, the typhoon had affected 9.23 million people, forcing more than 530,000 residents in the province to relocate, said a report.

USAGI has ruined 152,000 hectares of crops of and destroyed 15,000 houses, causing direct economic losses of 17.76 billion yuan ($2.9billion), the report said.

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120,000 displaced Filipinos face humanitarian crisis: UN

Two weeks of fighting between government troops and rebels has forced more than 138,000 Filipinos to flee their homes. The clashes have left about 132 people dead, and more than 10,000 home destroyed in Zamboanga and the neighboring Basilan province.

The displaced victims are at risk of disease from unsanitary conditions, said the UN.

• Estimated no of people affected in Zamboanga City and Basilan: 257,131
• Estimated no of people displaced in Zamboanga City: 119,952
• Estimated no of people displaced in Basilan: 18,890
• Source: UNOCHA

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Iraq Body Count for September rapidly reaching 1,000

At least 22 more people were killed in Iraq on Tuesday, raising the September death toll so far to 940 civilians, according to IBC.

As of September 24, at least 5,550 people, both civilians and military personnel, have been killed and more than 13,000 other wounded in Iraq since the beginning of 2013, according to figures procvided by UNAMI and others.

Meantime, “insurgents on Wednesday carried out a coordinated gunfire and car bomb attack on government facilities and security forces in the Hawijah city in Iraq’s oil-rich province of Kirkuk, killing 15 people and wounding 30 others,” said a report.

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The health situation continues to deteriorate across Syria

“Some 60 per cent of public hospitals, 34 per cent of public health centres and 92 per cent of public ambulances have been affected. Around 212 health care staff have been killed, injured or kidnapped. In some locations, including Homs, 50 per cent of doctors have left  the country. In and around Aleppo city, only 36 doctors are practicing comp ared to 5,000 before the crisis. Around 70 per cent of pharmaceutical plants in the country have been impacted,” said UN OCHA.

Current Humanitarian Crisis
Population: 21.4m
No. of people in need: 6.8m
No. of IDPs: 4.25m
No. of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries & North Africa: 2.1m

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State of Emergency declared around Olympic city Sochi due to flooding

Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sochi and evacuated a village after flooding and mudslides swamped the city that will host the Winter Olympics, said a report.

“A highway leading to some of the Alpine event venues was flooded by up to 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) of water, which emergency workers said they were trying to drain, the regional branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry said.”

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Monsoon rains enhanced by USAGI kill dozens in Vietnam and Cambodia

Heavy monsoon rains exacerbated by Typhoon USAGI have buffeted  parts of Vietnam and Cambodia, triggering severe flooding and mudslides and killing at least 36 people, authorities said.

The death toll from USAGI exceeds 100, as of posting. Countries  worst-affected by the powerful typhoon were Philippines, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

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State of Calamity Declared in Two Philippine Provinces

Severe flooding, landslides destroy homes, bridges, roads and dikes, killing dozens

State of Calamity has been declared in Ilocos Norte province after strong winds and heavy rain accompanying Typhoon USAGI [locally known as “Odette”] destroyed scores of roads, bridges and dikes, inundating thousands of homes and ruining large swathes of crops.

Severe flooding has inundated the towns of Bacarra, Bangui, Piddig, Pagudpud, Paoay and Pasuquin, in Ilocos Norte province, prompting the authorities to declare a State of Calamity throughout the province, according to local reports.

Heavy rains kill at least 33 in Zambales, N. Philippines

A state of calamity has also been declared in the city of Olongapo, Zambales province, amid widespread flooding, as monsoon rains inundated the city and its neighboring Subic municipality, said a report.

As of 11 am Tuesday, September 24, the death toll stood at 33, local officials reported.

“As of posting, houses in Sta Monica subdivision in Barangay Matain, Subic, were still submerged.” Said the report.

Floodwaters submerge vehicles in Olongapo City, September 23, 2013. Photo courtesy Ryan Viduya/ via Rappler.com

Major Flooding in Bataan Province, Central Luzon

Floodwaters also submerged at least 4 towns in the neighboring province of Bataan, in Central Luzon, authorities reported.

Mass evacuations are underway in the towns of Hermosa, Abucay, Dinalupihan, and Samal.

Thousands of families are being evacuated as floodwaters reached up to 5 feet high in some areas submerged homes and leaving roads impassable, said a report.

Flood victims were seen carrying their shivering kids as they waded through the floodwaters amid submerged cars, said an AFP reporter.

In Samal town, floodwaters “rose neck-deep” in some areas, the report said.

Olongapo City Mayor has asked the US ambassador to send the US Marines, who are conducting joint war games in the region, to help with relief efforts, said his office.

“About 2,300 US and Philippine marines are taking part in 3-week long joint exercises, many of them to be conducted in Zambales,” said the report.

Death Toll from Mexico Storms Climbs to 110

Mexico death toll from storms MANUEL and INGRID rises to 110, with 68 others still missing

Deadly storms MANUEL and INGRID have claimed at least 110 lives and left 68 others missing, presumed dead, after a mudslide buried the village of La Pintada in western Guerrero state.

Historic Rainfall

“We are confronting rainfall that has practically been the most extensive in the history of the entire national territory,” said President Nieto.

The death toll climbed after searchers recovered the bodies of five police officers who were killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed into a hillside near La Pintada on Thursday.

The storms have destroyed or damaged private property and public infrastructure in all but 2 of Mexico’s 31 states and affected a total of 1.2 million people, reports said.

About 40,000 tourists had to be evacuated, including 25,00 who were airlifted, out of Acapulco after severe flooding destroyed road and bridges cutting off the popular beach resort.

The full extent of disaster is still unknown because many rural communities remain cut off, officials said.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Residents in sections of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, have been  told to evacuate due to flooding, Sunday night.

An evacuation order has been issued for residents along Highway 68 in Alcalde and Velarde, said a report.

Governor Martinez signed an executive order earlier this month declaring a statewide emergency due to flooding caused by extreme rain events.

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Typhoon USAGI Disaster Update No. 2

Typhoon USAGI has killed at least 25 after making landfall in Guangdong Province late Sunday.

The powerful typhoon has affected about 5.48 million people, leaving 310,000 residents displaced.

USAGI has destroyed 8,490 homes and ruined 50,800 hectares of cropland.

The losses and damage from USAGI is estimated at about  CNY7.1billion (US$1.16 billion) in Guangdong province, said a report.

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Iraq Violence

At least 39 people were killed on Sunday raising the death toll from Iraqi violence to 865 so far this month.

The killings occurred in Baghdad (29 people killed by gunfire, IEDs, suicide bomber), Mosul (9 killed by gunfire, IEDs ) and Abu Saida (1 person killed by gunfire), said Iraq Body Count.

As of September 22, at least 5,110 people have been killed and more than 12,000 other wounded in Iraq since the beginning of 2013, according to UNAMI figures.

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USAGI Poses a Severe Threat to Hong Kong: The HK Observatory

Typhoon USAGI expected to slam Hong Kong by early Monday

The strongest storm to brew in the Western Pacific this year, is forecast  to pummel Asia’s financial center by early Monday.

The Hong Kong observatory has issued a Strong Wind Signal No. 3 and was expected to raise the warning level higher later on Sunday.

Typhoon USAGI poses a severe threat to the city, the HK observatory said.

Typhoon USAGI chased by Tropical Cyclone PABUK. MTSAT IR Satellite Image. Image recorded at 04:30UTC on September 22, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

The following is text of HK Observatory’s latest Warming issued at 12:45HKT on 22.09.2013.

Tropical Cyclone Bulletin – Hong Kong Observatory

The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 is in force. This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 km per hour are expected.

At 1 p.m., Severe Typhoon Usagi was estimated to be about 300 kilometers [km] east of Hong Kong (near 22.1 degrees north, 117.1 degrees east) and is forecast to move WNW at about 20 km per hour across the northeastern part of the South China Sea and towards the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary. [Hong Kong Observatory at 12:45HKT on 22.09.2013]

According to the present forecast track, there is a high chance Usagi would make landfall to the east of Hong Kong and will be closest to the territory around tonight and early tomorrow morning. Winds are now generally from the north and most parts of the territory are sheltered. However as Usagi gradually edges closer to Hong Kong, local winds will strengthen gradually. The Observatory will consider issuing the Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 this afternoon to this evening.

The outer rainbands of Usagi are now affecting the vicinity of Pearl River Estuary. Local weather is deteriorating gradually. There will be heavy squally showers and rough seas.

If Usagi’s speed of movement matches with the time of the astronomical high tide, storm surge induced by Usagi may still lead to flooding in low-lying areas overnight. The public should be on the alert, and take precautions against strong winds and flooding as early as possible.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate’s Cairn were 48 km per hour.

Typhoon alert forces schools to close in southeast China

Meantime, China’s National Meteorological Center issued its highest alert, and local authorities in Xiamen City on the eastern coast of Fujian Province called off classes, suspended shipping transport between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and evacuated at least 100,000 people.

“On Sunday, major Chinese airlines canceled flights to cities in south China’s Guangdong, Fujian provinces as well as Hong Kong and Macao, citing that local airports could be battered by heavy rains and strong gales starting Sunday noon,” said a report.

Taiwan

Authorities in Taiwan evacuated thousands of people from 36 townships in seven counties on Saturday, said a report.

Forecasters said “severe torrential rain” would continue today in the eastern and southern areas, while the north could experience torrential rains.

Waves break over the breakwater in Taitung, Taiwan as Typhoon USAGI moves through the Luzon Strait, Saturday Sept. 21, 2013. Photo credit CNA/ via Taipei Times.

Related Links

• Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan September 19, 2013
• USAGI Intensifies to Super Typhoon Force  September 20, 2013
• Cyclone PABUK Chasing Typhoon USAGI September 21, 2013
• Global Disasters/ Significant Events – September 21, 2013 September 21, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

Cyclone PABUK Chasing Typhoon USAGI

Powerful winds, heavy rain buffeting N Philippines and Taiwan as TY USAGI passes through Luzon Strait

Authorities in the Philippines and Taiwan have evacuated scores of town and villages, deployed thousands of troops, cancelled flights and suspended ferry services as the powerful typhoon continued tracking toward China.

USAGI was packing sustained winds of 230 km/h, with gusts of up to 275 km/h, or the equivalent of a Cat 4B hurricane, as of Saturday afternoon local time.

Tropical Cyclone PABUK Chasing Typhoon USAGI. MTSAT IR Satellite Image. Image recorded at 07:00UTC on September 21, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

Tropical Storm PABUK Forms

Meantime, various meteorological agencies in the region issued a new tropical storm alert as TS PABUK formed.

As of 07:20 UTC on  21 September 2013 Tropical storm BABUK was located near N19.6°, E145.2°.

FIRE-EARTH believes yet a third cyclone could form in the region, following PABUK, within the next 48 hours.

Related Links

• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery
• Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan September 19, 2013
• USAGI Intensifies to Super Typhoon Force  September 20, 2013

USAGI Intensifies to Super Typhoon Force

Super Typhoon USAGI punching 260-km winds, gusting 315 km/h

USAGI, the planet’s most powerful storm so far this year, and measuring abut 1,100km wide, is moving toward southern Taiwan, packing sustained winds of 260km/h with wind gusts in excess of 315km/h.

As of 03:00UTC on September 20, 2013, SUPER TYPHOON  USAGI (TY 17W, or 1319) was located near 19.0ºN 125.0ºE, about 700km NE of Manila, Philippines and was tracking northwestward at about 15km/h  causing significant wave heights of about 18 meters.

The Monster Typhoon’s outer bands have been lashing northern Luzon for the past few hours, dumping significant amounts of rain.

The center of the storm is predicted to pass near southern Taiwan, but its northeast quadrant, usually the most powerful, could lash Taiwan’s southern half, dumping more than 320mm of rain.

USAGI is forecast to track toward Hong Kong By Sunday, but would become weakened by landfall.

Typhoon USAGI (17W, or 1319). Visible/Shorwave IR Image. 2013-09-19 @ 01:32UTC. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

Typhoon USAGI (17W, or 1319) Projected Path. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Related Links

• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

• Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan September 19, 2013

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – September 19, 2013

The clock continues ticking …

Losses from deadly flooding in Colorado estimated at $2 billion

Total cost of property losses from deadly flooding in Colorado is estimated at about $2 billion, according to the catastrophe modeling company Eqecat, said a report.

The projected losses for residential property are estimated at about $900 million, while “$1 billion is attributed to losses projected for commercial and government property, including roads and bridges, Eqecat senior vice president Tom Larsen told Reuters.”

The disaster zone encompasses 17 Colorado counties, as the historic deluge, called a 500-to-1,000-year flood, destroyed or damaged ten of thousands of properties.

The full extent of property losses and damage in Boulder County has not yet been revealed.

Eqecat’s initial estimate of $20 billion in total economic losses from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 was later revised up to $50 billion (!)

FIRE-EARTH models show the total cost of Colorado disaster could reach $8 – $10billion.

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan

• The Second Coming of MANUEL

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Continued …

Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan

USAGI  has intensified into a Cat 2 typhoon in the NW Pacific Ocean

Typhoon USAGi (TY 17W) has strengthened into a Cat 2 Cyclone, moving slowly toward southern Taiwan.

Typhoon USAGI (1319)

• Date and Time: 2013/09/19 00:00UTC
• Location: 16.9ºN, 128.3ºE
• Movement: WNW [245º] changing to NW 9km/hr increasing to 14km/hr
• Minimum Pressure: 955 hpa
• Maximum Wind Speed:  170km/hr (90kt)
• Gusts: 205km/hr (110kt)

Several models predict USAGI could intensify into a Cat 4 Cyclone before reaching southern Taiwan region.

Typhoon USAGI (1319). Visible/Shorwave IR Image. 2013-09-19 @ 01:32UTC. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

Typhoon USAGI Projected Path. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency.

Related Links

• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery