Typhoon Megi (2010)

Typhoon Megi approaching the Philippines on October 17

The typhoon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility early on October 16, prompting new and modified warnings for the Luzon coast.[36] There was the expectation that the typhoon would become a super-typhoon and produce as much rain as Typhoon Ketsana in 2009,[37][38] with the possibility of Magat Dam being filled.[39] As Typhoon Megi neared Luzon, the Philippine National Red Cross established centers for evacuees fleeing the typhoon.[40]

Highest public storm signals raised by PAGASA

In response to orders from President Benigno Aquino III, PAGASA posted hourly tropical cyclone updates.[41] Inhabitants of the Isabela and Cagayan provinces were advised to bring in their harvests before Megi arrived, while fishermen in the Ilocos region were advised to seek shelter.[42] Late on October 16, PAGASA issued Storm Signal 1 for Cagayan, Isabela, Babuyan and Calayan islands in the northern Philippines,[43] while President Aquino called for cooperation from all concerned government and private sector groups to prevent fatalities.[44]

On October 17, evacuations began with hundreds of people fleeing from Luzon[45][46] as Megi intensified into a super typhoon and Storm signal number 3 raised.[47] Over 18 provinces had been placed under alert for the typhoon as it approached the Philippines.[48] Later on that day, all state schools and colleges were suspended.[49] PAGASA declared public storm warning number 4 announcing that over 7 million people were liable to be affected.[50][51] The storm warning was later raised to the highest level over Cagayan and Isabela[52] as tropical storm force winds began blowing throughout Cagayan province.[53]

By October 18, all state schools and colleges in Cagayan, the Ilocos and the Cordilleras were closed for the day in preparation.[54] Isabela province was placed under a state of calamity when the typhoon made landfall and moved further inland.[55]

Typhoon Megi approaching China on October 22

China began preparing for Super Typhoon Megi on October 17 by issuing an orange alert to local authorities and advising all vessels to return to port.[56] Evacuation of coastal residents began on October 18[57] as authorities issued disaster warnings and urgent advice to local officials in Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian provinces to prepare for relief operations.[58] The government ordered all fishing vessels to return to port by midnight on October 19 as Typhoon Megi entered the South China Sea.[59] The following day, China railways suspended all trains in and out of Hainan in preparation for Typhoon Megi.[60] Equipment used in relief operations from heavy rains the previous month were kept in preparation for Typhoon Megi.[61] As the typhoon approached, over 150,000 residents from coastal areas of Fujian province were evacuated and tens of thousands of fishing vessels were ordered to seek shelter in port. Warnings were also issued to prepare for storm surges when the typhoon arrives.[62] Rail services to and from Hainan Island were resumed while tonnes of food and other supplies were brought in for disaster relief.[63]

In response to Megi's approach, the Hong Kong Observatory issued Standby Signal No. 1 at 16:35 HKT (08:35 UTC) on October 20 .[64] The Government had already informed the Travel Industry council and the Hong Kong International Airport to make plans in case of passengers being stranded at the airport. The Observatory subsequently issued Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 05:40 HKT (21:40 UTC) on October 21 (October 20 UTC).[65] As of 8:40 pm on October 22 all Signals were cancelled by the Hong Kong Observatory.

The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the Standby Signal No. 1 at 19:00 HKT(11:00 UTC) on October 19, 2010.

The centre of the storm made landfall near Divalacan Bay, Luzon, at 11:25 am (local time) on October 18 preceded by torrential rain and flash flooding[66][67] forcing residents of the area to seek shelter.[68] A reported total of 3,687 individuals from the northern Philippines[69] were evacuated to schools, churches, halls and other sturdier structures[70] but over 200,000 people were rendered homeless.[71][72][73] Although at little risk of being struck by the departing typhoon, classes throughout Metro Manila were suspended on October 19 as a precaution.[74]

Initial estimates suggested that Philippine rice farmers could lose over 600,000 metric tons of crops[75][76] as the typhoon swept through some of the biggest agricultural areas, such as Isabela and Cagayan,[77] in the northern Philippines. Official estimates following the passing of the typhoon placed agricultural losses at around US$34 million with tens of thousands of tons of rice and corn lost.[78][79] Fears of a rice shortage in the next few weeks were allayed by the National Food Authority which announced that sufficient food had been stockpiled.[80]

Megi inflicted substantial damage to much of the infrastructure as it crossed Luzon.[81] Communication infrastructure in Cagayan and Isabela suffered extensive damage during the typhoon with an estimated 90% of regional communications lost.[82] Officials believe that it would take five days to restore them.[83] Electricity in the northern provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao, Northern Isabela, the Mountain Province, parts of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, la Union, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, parts of Tuguegarao[84] was disrupted by Megi. The National Grid Corp. announced that eleven towers along one transmission line suffered extensive damage, which also affected power supplies to the capital leading to outages of up to 3 hours.[85]

Many domestic and international flights by carriers such as Cebu Pacific[86][87] and Philippine Airlines[88] bound for the northern Philippines were cancelled because of the impact of the typhoon, but as the typhoon left the islands, many flights were restored.[89] Many roads in Luzon remained closed through October 18,[90] and bus operators cancelled trips to Cagayan and Isabela due to the poor weather.[91] The departure of Megi left large quantities of debris, as well as unsanitary conditions.[92]

The Philippine Red Cross dispatched a water search and rescue team to Cagayan to aid rescue operations.[93] UNICEF announced that the organisation was monitoring the event and that relief supplies were being prepared should the Philippines Government request aid.[94] The United Nations Office for the Coordination on Humanitarian Affairs have also committed to helping with disaster relief .[95][96] Thousands of military reserve officers and volunteers were on standby, along with helicopters with one retired army general describing the operations as "preparing for war".[97] Search and rescue operations for survivors was hampered by winds that were still reaching 210 kilometres (130 mi) throughout the region.[98] According to official reports, the province of Isabela bore the brunt of the storm with the towns of Palanan and Divilacan suffering extensive damage and Maconacon reportedly being completely destroyed.[99]

PAGASA lowered storm signals as the typhoon weakened when it crossed into the mountains in northern Luzon.[100]

Casualties

One person drowned near Tuguegarao, Cagayan during the afternoon of October 18 after being swept away in a river that had overflowed its banks.[101][102] The body of another man who had drowned in Ilocos Sur province was recovered.[103] Another five people died during the storm: one man after being pinned by a falling tree, a mother and her two children when a tree fell on their house and a fifth when struck by lightning. Three people were killed in Isabela province by a storm surge while another drowned attempting to cross a river in Nueva Ecija province.[104] A further nine people have been injured, some by falling debris.[105][106][107] The president made a statement expressing his sympathy and condolences for the bereft families, while also declaring that despite the strength of Megi, the loss of life was significantly less than during Typhoon Basyang and Tropical Storm Ondoy.[108] As of October 20, the death toll stood at 19.[109]

Juan became the second super typhoon to hit the area, 21 years after the first such storm, Super Typhoon Tasing of 1989.

Victims of Typhoon Megi unload humanitarian aid supplies from a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter in Isabela, Philippines.

Relief efforts

Child United, a Seattle-based non-profit which provides disaster relief in Asia, was on standby to provide assistance to families left homeless by the typhoon.[110] Their relief operation began October 18 in the Philippines, with supplies already in-country being prepared for immediate delivery to the disaster site, and additional supplies prepared for shipment from the United States.[111] The organization collected monetary donations to assist in further disaster relief, as well as donations of towels, sheets, toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) and canned goods.[110]

The USS Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) provided disaster relief in the aftermath. The ESG was composed of the USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Amphibious Squadron 11 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262) were embarked with the ESG.[112] Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265) also provided disaster relief. The unit was ashore at the Clark International Airport participating in an exercise when the typhoon hit. Their mission changed from participation in the exercise to disaster relief.[113]

Juan as a typhoon name was retired by PAGASA, and replaced with Jose, as the typhoon reached the damage cost threshold of PHP 1 billion.[114] However, Jose has also been retired and replaced by Josie as it too caused in excess of PHP 1 billion worth of damage.[115][116]

Throughout Yilan County, torrential rainfall from Typhoon Megi and the weather front, peaking at 1,182 mm (46.5 in) in Suao,[117] triggered widespread flash flooding and landslides. According to the Central Weather Bureau, a record 939 mm (37.0 in) of rain fell in a 24‑hour span between October 20 and 21. This surpassed the previous record set by Typhoon Morakot in August 2009, just over a year prior.[118] In Suao, a record 181.55 mm (7.148 in) of rain fell within an hour, triggering some of the worst flash flooding in the area in over 20 years.[119] Megi also brought much rainfall in Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, Taipei, Keelung, and New Taipei. At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and 23 others are missing. Early damage estimates placed losses to agriculture at NT$45 million (US$1.5 million).[120] Later reports on October 22 indicated that seven people were killed when the temple they were sheltering in was buried by a landslide.[121] Near Suao, multiple landslides struck a major highway stranding more than 400 people. Torrential rainfall caused a 500 m (1,600 ft) section of a nearby mountain to collapse, burying a bus carrying 19 people, whom officials fear may have all perished. Air force helicopters have been called in to aid in the search for the bus and any survivors.[122]

By the morning of October 24, 13 fatalities had been confirmed and 25 people were reported missing.[123] After more than ten days of search-and-rescue operations, all missing persons across the island were declared legally deceased.[124]

After brushing Taiwan, Typhoon Megi struck southern China as a severe tropical storm. Throughout Fujian Province, an estimated 729,800 people were affected by the storm. A total of 36,050 hectares of crops and 530 houses were destroyed by the storm with overall losses incurred in Fujian Province reaching 2.8 billion yuan (US$411.7 million).[5]