Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)
Typhoon Mangkhut was a significant tropical cyclone that struck parts of Asia in September 2018, recognized as the most powerful storm of that year. Initially forming over the Pacific Ocean on September 7, it intensified into a category 4 typhoon by September 11, with wind speeds reaching 155 miles per hour (246 kilometers per hour). The storm had devastating impacts, particularly in the Philippines, where it made landfall on September 14, resulting in severe damage, flooding, and mudslides that tragically led to the deaths of over eighty individuals. Significant destruction was also reported in Hong Kong and southern China, where high winds and storm surges contributed to widespread property damage and disruption of services.
In response to the looming threat, the Philippine government issued evacuation orders for about 100,000 residents in coastal regions. Despite the destruction, the early warning systems and preparedness measures in place helped mitigate potential casualties, enabling millions to evacuate or prepare in advance. While the storm inflicted billions of dollars in economic losses across affected areas, the aftermath saw local governments and international organizations mobilizing to support recovery efforts. Typhoon Mangkhut highlighted the growing concerns surrounding climate change and its link to the increasing frequency of powerful storms, raising awareness about future vulnerabilities in regions prone to tropical cyclones.
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Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)
Date: September 10–18, 2018
Place: North Mariana Islands, Philippines, China, Hong Kong
Result: Typhoon Mangkhut was the most powerful tropical cyclone of 2018; it caused $6.0 billion (USD) in damage and killed 161 people.
Overview
Typhoon Mangkhut was a tropical cyclone that hit parts of Asia in September 2018. Tropical cyclones are storms with circular wind patterns that cause damage through wind power and flooding from large amounts of rain. Tropical cyclones can be named hurricanes, tropical cyclones, or typhoons depending on their location. These storms often begin over open water and become larger and more powerful as they pick up moisture from the ocean.
Typhoon Mangkhut began over the Pacific Ocean on September 7, 2018, as a tropical depression (a storm with a circular wind pattern that could potentially become a tropical cyclone). It gained power and moisture as it traveled over the open water. The wind speeds of the storm increased, and it was eventually labeled a typhoon. Mangkhut became a category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean on September 11 after its wind speeds increased to 155 miles per hour (246 kilometers per hour). The storm caused flooding and power outages in Guam, which is a US territory.
As the storm came closer to the Philippines, scientists warned that it would most likely be very powerful and dangerous. The government also called for roughly 100,000 people to evacuate from coastal areas. On September 14, Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall in the Philippines as the strongest storm of 2018. It directly hit Luzon, one of the main islands in the Philippines. The storm tore roofs off buildings, ripped up trees, and downed power lines. The typhoon also caused mudslides—one serious mudslide on Luzon killed at least sixty people. The Philippines was the area that experienced the most damaging effects from the storm.
From the Philippines, the storm traveled to China. Strong winds also hit Hong Kong, uprooting trees and causing large amounts of damage. Although Hong Kong was not as severely hit by the storm as the Philippines, the area still suffered significant damage. When the storm reached Hong Kong, it had sustained winds of approximately 109 miles per hour (175 kilometers per hour), making it one of the most powerful storms on record to hit that area. The city also saw storm surge of up to 11 feet (3 meters) in some areas.
Typhoon Mangkhut knocked over buildings, uprooted trees, and cut off power to many residents. The storm injured more than 400 people in Hong Kong. Millions more were also affected in China, especially in the Guangdong region. Thousands of people evacuated to storm shelters, and many more stayed inside their homes to wait out the storm.
International organizations mobilized to help those affected. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies donated money and resources to areas that had been hit by the typhoon. Local governments also began cleaning up soon after the storm subsided. Despite the quick response of various groups, the cleanup from the storm lasted many months.
After the storm, some people noticed a pattern of strong storms hitting the area. Scientists linked the severe storms to climate change, which could indicate that areas prone to tropical cyclones might see other strong storms in the future.
Impact
The most powerful storm on Earth in 2018, Typhoon Mangkhut affected millions of people in several countries. On the scales used to measure Atlantic hurricanes, Typhoon Mangkhut would have been classified as a category 5 storm (the strongest classification) when it hit the Philippines. Although Mangkhut was among the most powerful storms, it was one of seven super typhoons to form in the Pacific Ocean in 2018. Together, the tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean cost billions of dollars and killed hundreds of people.
Typhoon Mangkhut was most devastating to the Philippines, where it killed more than eighty people. Many of the people in the Philippines who died from the storm were caught in mudslides. The largest of these was on the island of Luzon. The wind and rain caused the side of a mountain to collapse, killing and trapping mostly miners and their families. A number of nongovernmental organizations that were already located in the Philippines helped with the cleanup effort and provided supplies to the hardest hit areas.
Although hundreds of people were injured in Hong Kong, no fatalities were reported. Downed trees and communication lines made traveling and communicating with the outside world difficult. A large number of people living in Hong Kong helped clean debris from roads and other public places while they waited for the government to deploy more organized cleanup efforts.
Typhoon Mangkhut was a powerful storm that caused many fatalities and billions of dollars in economic loss. Yet, an early warning system did help people prepare. Millions of people, many of whom lived in China, evacuated before the storm hit, which most likely helped save lives. Furthermore, advanced knowledge of the storm gave people living in affected areas time to stock supplies and prepare their homes for the storm. Although increased awareness and warnings have helped save lives, studies show that many people living in the paths of typhoons may not be prepared for future storms.
Bibliography
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