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Typhoon Yutu, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Rosita, is currently a tropical storm over the northeastern South China Sea. It is the most powerful tropical cyclone to impact the Mariana Islands on record, as well as the second-strongest system to hit the United States and its protectorates by wind speed, and the third most-intense by pressure. The twenty-sixth named storm, twelfth typhoon, and the seventh super typhoon of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season, Yutu originated from a low-pressure area that formed in the western Pacific Ocean on October 15. The disturbance organized into a tropical depression on the same day, as ocean sea-surface heat content increased. Shortly after strengthening, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assigned the system the identifier 31W. The system continued to strengthen, becoming a tropical storm several hours later, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) naming the system Yutu. Increasingly favorable conditions allowed Yutu to explosively intensify, as the system maintained deep convection and subsequently became a severe tropical storm and then a typhoon.
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| As of: | 09:00 UTC on October 31 | ||
| Location: | 18°06′N 117°24′E / 18.1°N 117.4°E About 291 nmi (539 km; 335 mi) NW of Manila, Philippines | ||
| Sustained winds: | 85 km/h; 50 mph (10-min mean) 55 km/h; 35 mph (1-min mean) gusting to 120 km/h; 75 mph | ||
| Pressure: | 996 hPa (29.41 inHg) | ||
| Movement: | NW at 7 kn (15 km/h; 10 mph) | ||
| See more detailed information. | |||
Through October 23, Yutu continued to explosively intensify, reaching Category 5 super typhoon intensity on October 24. On October 25, Yutu made landfall on the island of Tinian and the southern part of Saipan at its peak intensity, with a minimum central pressure of 905 millibars (26.7 inHg), 10-minute sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h), 1-minute sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h), and gusts of up to 190 mph (305 km/h). This makes it the most powerful tropical cyclone worldwide in 2018. Immediately after making landfall, Yutu underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, causing it to momentarily weaken as it completed the process. Maintaining super typhoon status, Yutu continued to move westward towards the Philippines, entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) whereupon it was assigned the local name Rosita. Intrusions of dry air and lower sea surface temperatures, however, caused Yutu to weaken significantly through October 28, though it remained a strong typhoon. Late on October 29, Yutu made landfall in the Philippine province of Isabela with 10-minute sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h).
The storm wrought catastrophic damage across Tinian and Saipan, destroying numerous homes and killing 2 people. Violent winds destroyed concrete structures in southern Saipan and stripped areas of vegetation. In the Philippines, widespread landslides killed at least 15 people and left more than 12 others missing.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionEarly on October 21, 2018, a tropical depression developed to the east of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, with the JMA initiating advisories on the system. Shortly afterward, the JTWC assigned the storm the identifier 31W. The system began to strengthen, becoming a tropical storm several hours later, and the JMA assigned the system Yutu. Favorable conditions, including low wind shear and high ocean-surface temperatures, allowed Yutu to explosively intensify on the following day, with the storm reaching severe tropical storm strength and then typhoon intensity a few hours later. From October 23 to 24, Yutu continued to organize and explosively intensify, reaching Category 5 super typhoon intensity on October 24. The typhoon continued to strengthen and displayed a healthy convective structure, while moving towards the island of Saipan.
Around 2:00 a.m. local time on October 25, Typhoon Yutu made landfall on Tinian and the southern part of Saipan[1][2] at peak intensity, as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, with a minimum central pressure of 905 millibars (26.7 inHg) and 1-minute sustained winds of 285 km/h (180 mph), becoming the most powerful storm on record to impact the northern Mariana Islands.[3][4] On October 25, the system underwent a eyewall replacement cycle, causing it to weaken into a Category 4 super typhoon as it continued moving westwards. On the next day, Yutu completed its eyewall replacement cycle, and the system regained Category 5 intensity at 15:00 UTC that day. On October 27, Yutu resumed weakening, and weakened into a Category 4 super typhoon. On the same day, Yutu entered PAGASA's Philippine Area of Responsibility (or PAR), and was named Rosita. Yutu continued to weaken while progressing westward, after encountering more unfavorable conditions, including lower sea surface temperatures, and the storm weakened to a Category 3-equivalent typhoon on October 28. Late on October 29, Yutu made landfall as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon on the Philippine province of Isabela, on the island of Luzon.
Current storm information
As of 09:00 UTC on October 31, Tropical Storm Yutu (Rosita) is located near 18°06′N 117°24′E / 18.1°N 117.4°E, about 291 nautical miles (539 km; 335 mi) north-northwest of Manila, Philippines. Both maximum 10-minute and 1-minute sustained winds are at 45 knots (85 km/h; 50 mph), with gusts to 65 knots (120 km/h; 75 mph). The minimum central barometric pressure is 992 hPa (29.29 inHg), and the system is moving northwestward at 7 knots (15 km/h; 10 mph).
For the latest official information, see:
Preparations
Mariana Islands
In the month prior to Yutu, Typhoon Mangkhut impacted the Mariana Islands, prompting emergency officials to stockpile supplies. With relief supplies largely unused, storage facilities on Guam had 220,000 liters of water and 260,000 meals readily available.[5] Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel deployed to both Tinian and Saipan ahead of the storm. President Donald Trump declared an emergency for the Mariana Islands on October 24.[6]
Philippines
On October 25, PAGASA began issuing severe weather bulletins in anticipation of Typhoon Yutu entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility.[7] The agency subsequently raised Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 1 for the majority of Luzon north of Metro Manila on October 28.[8] Following a slightly more southerly track than initially anticipated, PSWS No. 1 later extended to Quezon. PSWS No. 3, indicating winds of 121–170 km/h (75–106 mph) were anticipated, was raised for Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quirino, and northern Aurora provinces on October 29. Furthermore, PSWS No. 2, indicating tropical storm-force winds, covered large swaths of northern Luzon.[9][10][11]
Still rattled from the devastating effects of Typhoon Mangkhut in September, more than 10,000 people readily evacuated from mountainous areas in northern provinces of Luzon.[12]
Impact
Mariana Islands
| Strongest U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones† | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name‡ | Season | Wind speed | ||
| mph | km/h | ||||
| 1 | "Labor Day" | 1935 | 185 | 295 | |
| 2 | Karen | 1962 | 175 | 280 | |
| Camille | 1969 | ||||
| Yutu | 2018 | ||||
| 5 | Andrew | 1992 | 165 | 270 | |
| 6 | "Okeechobee" | 1928 | 160 | 260 | |
| Michael | 2018 | ||||
| 8 | Maria | 2017 | 155 | 250 | |
| 9 | "Last Island" | 1856 | 150 | 240 | |
| "Indianola" | 1886 | ||||
| "Florida Keys" | 1919 | ||||
| "Freeport" | 1932 | ||||
| Charley | 2004 | ||||
| Laura | 2020 | ||||
| Ida | 2021 | ||||
| Ian | 2022 | ||||
| Source: Hurricane Research Division[13] | |||||
| †Strength refers to maximum sustained wind speed upon striking land. | |||||
| ‡Systems prior to 1950 were not officially named. | |||||
Striking Tinian and Saipan on October 24 as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, Yutu became the strongest tropical cyclone to ever impact the Mariana Islands and the second-strongest to strike the United States or its territories as a whole.[14][15] Only the 1935 Labor Day hurricane impacted the country at a greater strength.[6] Guam National Weather Service Senior meteorologist Paul Stanko estimated winds to have exceeded 240 km/h (150 mph) based on cars being hurled into the air.[1]
On Saipan, the typhoon killed two people; a woman when it wrecked the building she was staying in,[16] and another woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by inhaling the fumes of a generator.[17] At least 133 other people were left injured, three of whom were injured severely.[16] The entirety of both islands were left without electricity. Most buildings in southern Saipan lost their roofs or were destroyed, including a high school that was wrecked.[16] Low-lying vegetation in southern parts of the island were shredded or ripped from the ground.[5] Saipan International Airport sustained significant damage; terminals flooded and navigation aids were rendered inoperable.[18]
The majority of homes on Tinian were severely damaged or destroyed. Some concrete structures sustained significant damage, with a few completely destroyed, and residents reported that those buildings shook during the typhoon. Storm shutters were torn from windows, leaving the interior of structures exposed to wind and water damage. In one instance, a door was ripped from a building and hurled 30 m (100 ft) into a pigsty.[5] The island's only health center sustained major damage; however, no patients were being treated at the time.[6] Tinian International Airport suffered significant damage.[18]
Meteorologist Brandon Aydlett at the National Weather Service described the typhoon as "the storm which sets the scale for which future storms are compared to".[5]
Philippines
Striking Luzon on October 30, Typhoon Yutu produced torrential rain across the mountainous region. Numerous landslides caused significant damage, engulfing homes and blocking roads. 14 people died after landslides occurred in Banaue, Ifugao and Kalinga. Flooding claimed one life in Abra and dozens were still missing in Natonin.[19] Significant effects were felt in Benguet, La Union, and Nueva Vizcaya where more than 100 people died during Typhoon Mangkhut in September.[12]
Hong Kong
On October 31, a 25-year-old man died when surfing in Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island, during the standby typhoon signal No. 1 was hoisted.[20]
Aftermath
Immediately following the typhoon's impact, the Congressional delegate for the Mariana Islands made a request for aid. With the scale of destruction far exceeding Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, power was not expected to be fully restored for months. FEMA scheduled aircraft to deliver relief supplies by October 26. In accordance with changes implemented after Hurricane Maria in 2017, the agency established specific task forces to handle smaller scale facets of the recovery: transportation, communications, food and water, and energy and fuel.[5] President Trump signed a major disaster declaration on October 26, enabling the islands to receive federal funding.[21] Daytime operations at Saipan International Airport resumed by October 27; however, damaged navigation equipment prevented safe operation during the night. The Coast Guard reopened the port of Saipan on October 27, allowing vessels to travel in and out of it. FEMA and the Red Cross established five relief distribution sites on the island which began operations on October 28.[22]
Emergency shelters quickly filled to capacity on both islands by October 25. The same day the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the affected areas and deployed 50 health personnel.[6][21] The USCGC Sequoia and USCGC Kiska ported in Guam sailed for Saipan and Tinian, respectively, with relief supplies.[21]
On October 26, Matson, Inc. provided $125,000 in funds and deployed its vessel Mana loaded with bottled water and ice.[21]
On October 27, South Korea began airlifting approximately 1,000 stranded tourists from Saipan.[21]
See also
- Typhoon Karen
- Typhoon Betty (1980)
- Typhoon Lynn (1987)
- Typhoon Nina (1987)
- Typhoon Megi (2010)
- Typhoon Haima
- Typhoon Mangkhut - similar storm that lashed Northern Luzon last September, causing extensive damage.
References
- ^ a b Jacey Fortin (October 24, 2018). "'Catastrophic' Super Typhoon Yutu Slams Into U.S. Commonwealth in the Pacific". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935". Washington Post. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- ^ Colin Dwyer (October 24, 2018). "Super Typhoon Yutu, 'Strongest Storm Of 2018,' Slams U.S. Pacific Territory". NPR. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ "Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu Now Moving Away From U.S. Territories of Saipan, Tinian After Devastating Strike". The Weather Company. October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Caleb Hones and Jennifer Sino Kelleher (October 26, 2018). "A U.S. Pacific Territory Hopes for Federal Help After Being Battered by Super Typhoon Yutu". Time. Associated Press. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Chris Mooney, Juliet Eilperin, and Allyson Chiu (October 25, 2018). "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 1 for Typhoon "Yutu" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 04 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|agency=ignored (help) - ^ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 07 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|agency=ignored (help) - ^ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 09 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|agency=ignored (help) - ^ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 10 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|agency=ignored (help) - ^ a b "Typhoon leaves 6 dead in Philippines, more feared trapped". Ilagan: Associated Press. October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ Landsea, Chris; Anderson, Craig; Bredemeyer, William; et al. (January 2022). Continental United States Hurricanes (Detailed Description). Re-Analysis Project (Report). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Super Typhoon Yutu Strongest to Hit Northern Mariana Islands Ever". The Weather Channel. October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ Chris D'Angelo (October 26, 2018). "Super Typhoon Yutu Shows Not All U.S. Cyclones Get Equal Treatment". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Humanitarian crisis looms after Super Typhoon Yutu flattens parts of Saipan and Tinian". Pacific Daily News. USAToday. October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ Haidee V Eugenio (October 30, 2018). "Second death reported as a result of Super Typhoon Yutu". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ a b Ferdie De La Torre (October 26, 2018). "Saipan airport will open Sunday for commercial planes only". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- ^ Girlie Linao (November 1, 2018). "Typhoon Yutu death toll climbs to 15". news.com.au. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Man dies while surfing during typhoon in Shek O". Asia Times. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Haidee V Eugenio (October 27, 2018). "Trump declares major disaster after Super Typhoon Yutu strikes Northern Mariana Islands". USAToday. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ Super Typhoon Yutu Relief & Recovery Update #3 Relief Supply Distribution Sites Open for Residents; Sea and Airport Open for Movement with Limitations (Report). Government of the United States. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.