Typhoon Chataan
| Typhoon (JMA) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 Super typhoon (SSHS) | |
 |
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| Typhoon Chataan at peak intensity on July 8, 2002 | |
| Formed | June 28, 2002 |
| Dissipated | July 11, 2002 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 175 km/h (110 mph) 1-minute sustained: 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 mbar (hPa); 27.46 inHg |
| Fatalities | 54 direct |
| Damage | $59.8 million (2002 USD) |
| Areas affected | Guam, Chuuk, Japan |
| Part of the 2002 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Chataan (international designation: 0206[1], JTWC designation: 08W, PAGASA designation: Gloria) was a powerful and destructive typhoon which killed 54 people from Chuuk to Japan in the western Pacific Ocean.
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[edit] Meteorological history
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the system as a tropical depression early on June 28 near the Nomoi Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. A day later, the agency upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Chataan. After initially moving to the northwest, the storm turned to the east, although a northwest track resumed on June 30. By that day, Chataan had steadily strengthened to severe tropical storm status, with 10–minute maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph). On July 2, the storm briefly weakened to an intensity of 85 km/h (50 mph). However, Chataan began a steady intensification the next day, and at 1800 UTC on July 4 the JMA assessed that the storm attained typhoon status to the southeast of Guam. About four hours later, the typhoon crossed over Guam,[1] the first direct hit since Typhoon Paka in 1997.
After passing through the islands of the West Pacific, Chataan steadily strengthened, reaching a primary peak of 130 mph winds on July 5. Soon after, dry air and upper level shear weakened the storm. As it turned more to the north, Chataan restrengthened, and reached a peak of 150 mph winds on the 7th, the 3rd super typhoon of the year. The shear returned, and Chataan quickly weakened. On July 10, while heading to the northeast, 65 mph Tropical Storm Chataan crossed over southeastern Japan, and became extratropical shortly thereafter.
[edit] Preparations
[edit] Chuuk and the Mariana Islands
[edit] Japan
As Typhoon Chataan approached eastern Japan, an estimated 100,000 people evacuated from areas north of Tokyo due to the threat of flooding.[2]
[edit] Impact
While crossing the Chuuk islands as a tropical storm, Chataan caused heavy rain and mudslides, killing 47 people. Over 1300 people were left homeless, and crop damage was severe, leading to a food shortage.
Later, when Chataan crossed Guam, the typhoon caused widespread damage to crops and structures. Damage was estimated at $59.8 million (2002 USD). However, damage was lighter than expected for a Category 3 typhoon. No cars were flipped over, and instead of the typical 10/100 ratio for coconut trees being destroyed, only 1/100 were.
The typhoon caused a surge in the monsoon trough over the Philippines, causing heavy flooding and mudslides. 64 people had died there by the end of July from the monsoon rains of Chataan and another storm, Nakri.
In Japan, Chataan caused 7 casualties from the heavy rains, as well as a disruption in the domestic transportation.
Because of Chataan's death toll and damage, the name was retired and replaced with Matmo. The name PAGASA gave to Chataan while active, Gloria, was also retired and was replaced in 2006 with Glenda.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2002 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. 8. http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2002/Text/Text2002.pdf. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
- ^ Staff Writer (July 12, 2002). "Japan clears up after storm". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2121787.stm. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
[edit] External links
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