Typhoon Wutip (2019)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JCMLuis (talk | contribs) at 19:42, 1 December 2022 (Added ref name). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Typhoon Wutip (Betty)
Violent typhoon (JMA scale)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Wutip at its secondary peak intensity west of the island of Guam, on February 25.
FormedFebruary 18, 2019
DissipatedMarch 2, 2019
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph)
1-minute sustained: 270 km/h (165 mph)
Lowest pressure920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg
FatalitiesNone reported
Damage$3.3 million (2019 USD)
Areas affectedGuam, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands
Part of the 2019 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Wutip, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Betty, was the most powerful February typhoon on record, surpassing Typhoon Higos of 2015.[1][2] The third tropical cyclone, second tropical storm, and the first typhoon of the 2019 Pacific typhoon season, Wutip originated from a low-pressure area on February 16, 2019. The disturbance moved westward, passing just south of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), before later organizing into a tropical depression, giving it the numeral identifier 02W on February 18, which would intensify into a tropical storm and be named Wutip on February 20, before strengthening further into a typhoon the following day. Wutip underwent rapid intensification, and on February 23, reached its peak intensity, with 10-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), 1-minute sustained winds of 270 km/h (165 mph), and a minimal pressure of 920 millibars (27 inHg) while passing to the southwest of Guam, becoming the first Category 5-equivalent super typhoon recorded in the month of February.

Wutip underwent an eyewall replacement cycle shortly afterward, causing the storm to weaken as it turned northwest. Wutip finished its eyewall replacement cycle on February 24, which allowed Wutip to restrengthen, with the typhoon rapidly intensifying once again. On February 25, Wutip reached a secondary peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), 1-minute sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), and a minimum central pressure of 935 millibars (27.6 inHg). Afterward, Wutip weakened on February 26, due to encountering strong wind shear and deteriorated as it moved northwestward, before dissipating on March 2.

Officials in Guam issued warnings that the island would experience tropical storm winds. In the FSM, warnings were issued for Yap and Chuuk. Power outages occurred across Guam. About 160 houses were damaged and 165 people were homeless in Yap and Chuuk. A disaster declaration from Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero and another from president of the Federated States of Micronesia Peter M. Christian were approved by Donald Trump a few months after the storm. Wutip caused at least $3.3 million (2019 USD) in damages in Guam and Micronesia.[3][4]

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  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
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On February 16, 2019, a low-pressure area formed to the south of Marshall Islands, gradually organizing as it moved westward, passing just south of the Federated States of Micronesia.[5] On February 18, the system organized into a tropical depression, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) gave the storm the identifier 02W. Tropical Depression 02W strengthened with a more organized center of circulation into a tropical storm and received the name Wutip from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on February 20. Wutip was located near 5.5°N and 152°E moving westward that day, with maximum sustained winds increased to 105 km/h (65 mph).[6] Wutip intensified into a severe tropical storm the following day, before intensifying further into a typhoon, attaining 1-minute sustained winds of 157 km/h (99 mph) at 15:00 UTC, according to the JTWC, making Wutip the equivalent of a low-end Category 2-equivalent typhoon.[7] Wutip continued to strengthen, and on February 23, was estimated by the JTWC to have 1-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), making it a Category 3-equivalent typhoon, while also generating wave heights up to 12.5 m (41 ft), with wind gusts reaching 240 km/h (150 mph).[8]

Typhoon Wutip during an eyewall replacement cycle.

Wutip reached its peak intensity after explosively intensifying later that day, with 10-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), 1-minute sustained winds of 270 km/h (165 mph), and a minimum central pressure of 920 millibars (27 inHg), making the storm a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon as it passed to the southwest of Guam. This also allowed Wutip to surpass Typhoon Higos from 2015 as the strongest February typhoon on record, the only Category 5-equivalent super typhoon recorded in the month of February,[1] and the only Category 5-equivalent storm recorded in February in the Northern Hemisphere.[9] Wutip underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, weakening back to Category 3-equivalent typhoon intensity as it turned to the north-northwest.[10] On February 24, Wutip finished its eyewall replacement cycle with a well-defined and annular eye and quickly re-intensified, resuming a trend of rapid intensification.[11] Wutip again became a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon early on February 25 at 06:00 UTC, reaching its secondary peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), 1-minute sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), and a minimum central pressure of 935 millibars (27.6 inHg).[1][2]

Early on February 26, Wutip encountered wind shear, weakening the storm once again. Wutip's once-visible 45-kilometre-wide (25-nautical-mile) eye had become cloud-filled, as the storm weakened. At 15:00 UTC, the JTWC noted that Wutip's 1-minute maximum sustained winds dropped to 195 km/h (105 kn). By this time, the storm's eye could no longer be detected on satellite imagery.[12] On February 27, 2019, at 09:00 UTC, Wutip was located near 16.3°N and 139.4°E, about 660 km (410 mi) west-northwest of Guam, and about 690 km (430 mi) west-northwest of Saipan, with 1-minute sustained winds decreased to 145 km/h (90 mph).[13] Wutip made a turn to the west-northwest while rapidly weakening, due to hostile conditions.

On the following day, Wutip weakened into a tropical depression and on the same day, was given the name Betty by the PAGASA, as the storm entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the Philippine Sea.[14][15] Wutip made a clockwise loop to the west on March 1, 2019, before dissipating the next day.[16]

Preparations and impact

Guam

Typhoon Wutip going through rapid intensification, approaching Guam.

Civil defense officials warned that Guam was expected to experience tropical storm force winds between 64 and 72 km/h (40–45 mph) and rainfall totals of up to 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and they advised the residents of Guam residents to stay indoors until the storm had passed.[17] A team of 18 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assisted Guam with emergencies on February 22.[18]

Wutip caused power outages across the island when it passed through the area on February 23.[17] Wutip passed 165 miles (266 km) south of Guam, sparing the island of its winds.[19] Wutip's closest approach was on February 24, when the storm passed 266 km (165 mi) to the southwest of Guam. The worst conditions from Wutip persisted through Saturday night, on February 23, and the storm also produced hazardous seas during that time.[20] Preliminary damage in infrastructure for Wutip totaled $1.3 million.[3]

Federated States of Micronesia

Tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for Chuuk State, Pohnpei, and Yap State in Federated States of Micronesia by the National Weather Service office in Tiyan, Guam as 02W was approaching the FSM on February 19, 2019;[21] however, the tropical storm warning for Faraulep in Yap State was later cancelled.[22] The advisories were later upgraded to typhoon watches and warnings after 02W intensified into Tropical Storm Wutip on February 20, with forecasts stating that Wutip would later strengthen into a typhoon.[6]

Wutip passed over Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap states in the Federated States of Micronesia from February 19–22 as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of more than 160 km/h (100 mph). The storm left at least 165 people homeless, leaving approximately 160 houses damaged or destroyed in both Chuuk and Yap. Strong winds and sea water inundation also destroyed food sources in the affected areas and rendered water sources unsafe to drink. In response to the storm's impact, local authorities declared states of emergency for Chuuk and Yap.[23] Wutip caused heavy preliminary damage in agriculture and infrastructure and costed a total of $2 million.[4]

Northern Mariana Islands

The islands of Agrihan, Pagan, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian were issued a tropical storm watch on February 22.[22][24] A typhoon warning was issued in Rota, but was later canceled on February 25 by lieutenant governor Arnold Palacios when Wutip headed in a different direction from the islands, which no longer posed a threat to the Commonwealth. As a result, schools were reopened across the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam on February 25.[25] There was only minor flooding upon the islands.[26]

Aftermath

U.S. Army soldiers rolling a water tank during Pacific Partnership 2019.

The Federated States of Micronesia President Peter M. Christian declared a national disaster on March 11, due to the effects of the storm, and requested international assistance.[27] In response, the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance provided $100,000 to support immediate disaster relief activities, for the affected populations in the FSM. In addition, the USAID/OFDA deployed staff based in the region to the FSM, to help coordinate response activities in collaboration with the Federated States of Micronesia authorities, the U.S. Government inter-agency staff, regional humanitarian actors, and other donors.[23]

U.S. Chargé d'affaires Heather Coble declared a disaster the following day, allowing the USAID, FEMA, and the federal government of the FSM to carry out a Joint Damage Assessment and relieve activities supporting agriculture and food security.[28] A multinational team arrived at Lower Mortlock Islands of Chuuk State to assist local communities as part of Pacific Partnership 2019 on March 31, which included helping the state recover after Wutip.[29]

On May 7, U.S. President Donald Trump declared "a disaster under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended", due to damage resulting from Wutip.[30] Relief and reconstruction funding from the USAID totaled more than $22.3 million.[28] On May 11, 2019, Donald Trump approved the disaster declaration requested by Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero on February 23 due to the impact the Mariana Islands had from Wutip. Tracy C. Haynes was appointed by Trump as Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for recovery operations across Guam.[31][32]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Matthew Cappucci (February 25, 2019). "The strongest February typhoon on record packs 180 mph gusts, sideswiping Guam". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Kristina Pydynowski; Robert Richards (23 February 2019). "Wutip becomes strongest super typhoon in February as it lashes Guam with rain, wind". Accuweather. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Preliminary cost estimate of Wutip: More than $1.3 million". Guam Pacific Daily News. March 1, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Losinio, Louella (2019-04-12). "Post-Wutip damages to FSM cost at least $2M". PNC News First. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  5. ^ Kristina Pydynowski; Eric Leister (February 18, 2019). "First February typhoon since 2015 may threaten Guam, Northern Mariana Islands this week". Accuweather. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Wutip (was 02W – Northwestern Pacific Ocean) – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  7. ^ "Typhoon Wutip on 21 February 2019 — SSEC". www.ssec.wisc.edu.
  8. ^ Kahn, Brian (22 February 2019). "An Extremely Rare February Typhoon Is Approaching Guam". Earther. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  9. ^ Teo Blašković (February 24, 2019). "Super Typhoon "Wutip" becomes the strongest February typhoon in West Pacific Ocean". The Watchers. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Jeff Masters (February 23, 2019). "Super Typhoon Wutip Hits 155 mph: Strongest February Typhoon on Record". Weather Underground. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Super Typhoon Wutip « CIMSS Satellite Blog". Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  12. ^ "Wutip (Northwestern Pacific Ocean) – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-17. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ "NASA tracks a weaker Typhoon Wutip through northwestern Pacific". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  14. ^ Rappler.com (28 February 2019). "Tropical Depression Betty enters PAR, but poses no threat". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  15. ^ "Typhoon Wutip may enter PAR on Thursday". philstar.com. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  16. ^ "Wutip now a depression, spotted on NASA-NOAA satellite imagery". phys.org. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  17. ^ a b "Wutip Upgraded to Super Typhoon, Lashes Guam With High Winds". Voice of America. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  18. ^ Gilbert, Haidee Eugenio. "FEMA teams arrive to help Guam with emergency response to Typhoon Wutip". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
  19. ^ Keoni Everington (February 25, 2019). "Wutip becomes first super typhoon in February since 1911". Taiwan News. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  20. ^ Kaur, Anumita. "Super Typhoon Wutip spares Guam". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  21. ^ "02W (Northwestern Pacific Ocean) – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  22. ^ a b "Northern Marianas, Guam prepare for Typhoon Wutip". RNZ. 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  23. ^ a b "Micronesia, Federated States of | Disaster Assistance | U.S. Agency for International Development". www.usaid.gov. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
  24. ^ "National Weather Service Tiyan GU: Typhoon Wutip (02W) Special Advisory Number 11A (10:58 AM ChST, Fri Feb 22 2019) - Guam | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  25. ^ "Schools to reopen across Micronesia after Typhoon Wutip". RNZ. 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  26. ^ "Typhoon Wutip upgraded to category 5 in Northern Hemisphere first". RNZ. 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  27. ^ "IOM Micronesia Newsletter, July 2018 - April 2019 - Typhoon Wutip Destruction - Micronesia (Federated States of)". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  28. ^ a b "FSM and RMI Program Summary" (PDF). www.usaid.gov. October 20, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ Losinio, Louella (2019-04-05). "Military team assists Chuuk in post-Wutip recovery". PNC News First. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  30. ^ "U.S. President Donald J. Trump Approves a Disaster Declaration for the Federated States of Micronesia". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-20 – via National Archives.
  31. ^ Governor, Office of the (2019-05-11). "President Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for Guam for Typhoon Wutip - Governor of Guam". Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  32. ^ Losinio, Louella (2019-05-10). "Federal government approves Guam's disaster declaration for Typhoon Wutip". PNC News First. Retrieved 2022-11-26.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Typhoon Wutip (2019).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Typhoon_Wutip_(2019)&oldid=1125018507"