Typhoon Jangmi

Post Landfall 1 | Summary
Posting Date: September 30, 2008, 11:30:00 AM

After making landfall in northeastern Taiwan on Sunday afternoon as a Category 3 typhoon, Jangmi rapidly weakened as it crossed Taiwan’s mountainous terrain. As of 11:00am EDT today (1500UTC), September 30th, Jangmi is about 275 miles southwest of Sasebo, Japan, and is moving in a northeast direction at about 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds are down to less than 45 mph from an estimated 130 mph at landfall on Taiwan, and the most recent analysis of satellite data indicates that Jangmi already has begun to transition to an extratropical cyclone. Jangmi’s rampage across Taiwan killed two people, injured 61, and left two people missing. Homes reportedly were destroyed by landslides in mountainous areas, 33 bridges were closed temporarily, and as many as 49 sections of major roads throughout Taiwan were closed to traffic because of fallen rocks. Electrical power to more than 1.03 million households around the island was disrupted. In northeastern Yilan County, which was hardest hit by the typhoon, a total of 466 transmission poles and lampposts were snapped or fell, and another 300 were damaged. According to the Department of Social Affairs of the Ministry of Interior, 3,213 people evacuated their homes, nearly 1,500 of whom are still staying in the 58 shelters that were established. Losses in the agricultural sector have been estimated at nearly US$10 million (NT$318 million). Rice paddies were hit very hard, and fruits and vegetables such as bananas, persimmons, and corn also suffered. Jangmi drenched most of Taiwan with torrential rains. Chiayi county in the south experienced the highest rainfall, with eight locations there recording rainfall accumulations in excess of 13.8 inches (350mm) in 24 hours, according to the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. The heavy rain is a matter of continuing concern, since the soil in eastern, northern, and central Taiwan is already saturated after being hit by Typhoons Sinlaku and Hagupit earlier this month. Damage from Jangmi has not been as extensive as anticipated. Even though Jangmi was a Super Typhoon just hours prior to landfall, the influence of the Taiwan Central Mountain Range on winds was considerable as the storm came ashore. Specifically, the mountains caused Jangmi to slow significantly in forward speed and turn toward the south—and away from Taipei—for several hours before turning northward again, during which time winds continued to weaken. Jangmi took nearly 18 hours to cross Taiwan. In that time the mountains took their toll. Jangmi re-entered open water in the Taiwan Strait as a strong tropical storm. After leaving Taiwan, Jangmi only skirted China’s coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian, bringing strong winds and heavy rain in some areas. In anticipation of a landfall, 200,000 people sought higher ground along the coast and over 26,000 boats were called to port. Shanghai lifted its typhoon warning Tuesday evening local time. Using the latest available meteorological information about Typhoon Jangmi and its actual track, the AIR tropical cyclone team estimates that insured losses to onshore properties in Taiwan from both wind and precipitation-induced flooding will be between USD40 million and USD120 million.

Post Landfall 1 | Downloads
Posting Date: September 30, 2008, 11:30:00 AM