| Very strong typhoon (JMA scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS) | |
 Typhoon Nari at peak intensity on September 15 in the East China Sea | |
| Formed | September 13, 2007 |
| Dissipated | September 17, 2007 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 220 km/h (140 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 935 hPa (mbar); 27.61 inHg |
| Areas affected | Okinawa, South Korea |
| Part of the 2007 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Nari (international designation: 0711; JTWC designation: 12W; designated Typhoon Falcon by PAGASA)
Nari was the 11th named storm and 8th typhoon of the 2007 Pacific typhoon season.
Storm history
editPreparations
editJapan
editAs Nari tracked closer to the Okinawa Islands, the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted up to 250 mm (9.8 in) of rainfall on the island group,[1] and issued warnings for strong winds, high waves, and a storm surge. Flight cancellations stranded at least 5,300 passengers.[2] At Naha Airport, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways cancelled 49 and 54 flights respectively. On Okinawa Island, local bus services were suspended.[3]
On September 13, all U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture were put on Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) Level 3, in preparation for Nari's approach.[4] At the Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Island, officials from the United States Armed Forces took steps to protect aircraft and equipment in shelters and hangars early on September 14. Loose outdoor items were either moved indoors or secured. Brigadier General Brett T. Williams, commander of the 18th Wing, said, "The most important thing is the safety of our military members and their families."[5] Later that day, the bases entered TCCOR-1C (Level 1 caution), as heavy aircraft at Kadena were evacuated. Department of Defense Dependents Schools were closed, and students stayed at home. All Air Mobility Command flights by the United States Air Force were also delayed by 24 hours.[3]
China
editIn Zhejiang, authorities requested all ships to return to harbour, as meteorologists predicted that the East China region would receive up to 100 mm (3.9 in) of rainfall from September 15 to September 16.[6]
South Korea
editAs Nari curved northwards to threaten South Korea on September 15, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a heightened typhoon alert for the south of the country, warning of landslides, power outages and inundation of property.[7] The typhoon alerts were soon extended to include most of the country, except Gyeonggi-do, Seoul and Incheon by the evening of September 16.[8] The KMA forecast up to 400 mm (15.7 in) of rainfall in the southwest of the country, and up to 150 mm (5.9 in) in central regions including the capital Seoul. Waves of 8 m (26.2 ft) were expected along the southern and western coasts, which the KMA warned could cause more flooding in low-lying areas.[9] Kang Sun Moo, an official with the National Emergency Management Agency, said that despite its strength, the typhoon would only affect a "small" area.
Ports, including Busan, Jeju and Yeosu, were closed.[7] Maritime authorities banned smaller vessels, like ferries and fishing boats, from sailing, and over 3,000 vessels were docked at harbours. Furthermore, flight cancellations affected some 15,000 travellers, with 280 flights grounded on Jeju-do,[10] and 377 flights grounded in total.[11] Two dams along the rivers Daechong and Seomjin prepared for high water levels by discharging water late on September 15.[12]
Impact
editPhilippines
editNari enhanced the southwest monsoon throughout the Philippines for several days before tracking northward, but had no direct effect on the country.[13]
Japan
editAs Nari moved through the Okinawa Islands late on September 14, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma reported winds of 59 mph (95 km/h), Kadena Air Base saw winds of 62 mph (100 km/h), and in Naha, Okinawa, winds reached 75 mph (121 km/h).[3] On Kumejima, the furthest west of the Okinawa Islands, two people sustained slight injuries from broken glass.[2]
South Korea
editAfter Nari grazed Jeju-do and made landfall on the Korean Peninsula early on September 16, the heavy rainfall which ensued overwhelmed five rivers on Jeju-do.[14] The inundation of hundreds buildings by floodwaters forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. Cars were also damaged, and roads across the island were washed away, rendering them impassable, and resulting in road closures and traffic disruptions.[8] Bus services on the island were suspended for 5 hours.[14] Approximately 50,000 households on Jeju-do were left without power, with restoration works delayed by the weather. About 11 ships sank or ran aground around the island over getting battered by strong winds and high waves.[8]
Wind speeds above 50 m/s (180 km/h, 110 mph) were recorded on the island.[8] Jeju-do received at least 590 mm (23.2 in) of rain during the storm's passage.[11] A record 420 mm (16.5 in) of rain fell in a 24-hour period, the most since rainfall measurements began in 1927.[14]
On the mainland, in Jeollanam-do, the cities of Gwangju and Yeosu were badly hit. Off the coast at Mokpo, a ship capsized in the rough seas, leaving one sailor dead and two missing. Several minor injuries caused by broken glass from high-rise apartments were reported as well. Electric power transmission was disrupted, as facilities were damaged by the rain and winds, causing widespread prolonged blackouts across the region, affecting tens of thousands of households.[8] Some farmland was also inundated by flooding.[15]
Aftermath
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Typhoon Nari approaches southern Japan". GMANews.tv. GMA Network. 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b Sheldrick, Aaron (2007-09-15). "Typhoon Nari Hits Okinawa, Moves Into East China Sea". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Fisher, Cindy (2007-09-16). "Flights, school canceled as Nari nears Okinawa". Stars and Stripes. United States Armed Forces. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Allen, David (2007-09-15). "Tropical Storm Nari to hit this weekend". Stars and Stripes. United States Armed Forces. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Johnson, Dani (Maj.) (2007-09-14). "Typhoon Nari heads for Okinawa". Air Force Link. United States Air Force. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Bi, Mingxin (2007-09-14). "Typhoon Nari approaching east China". China View. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b Kim, Kyoungwha (2007-09-16). "Typhoon Nari Set for South Korea After Lashing Japan". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b c d e Ahn, Hyo-lim (2007-09-17). "Typhoon leaves 14 dead or missing". Korea Herald. Herald Media. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Ahn, Hyo-lim (2007-09-17). "Typhoon Nari rattles Jeju". Korea Herald. Herald Media. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Typhoon strands 15,000 in South Korea". 2007-09-16. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b "Typhoon Nari Hits South Korea, Killing at Least 7". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Park, Si-soo (2007-09-16). "Typhoon Damages Korean Peninsula". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ "'Falcon' develops into storm, enhances monsoon". GMANews.tv. GMA Network. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b c "11 Dead As Typhoon Nari Batters Jeju". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2007-09-17" ignored (help) - ^ "Death toll rises to nine in typhoon-hit South Korea". Agence France-Presse. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-18.