Typhoon Pongsona

Typhoon Pongsona

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Typhoon Pongsona
Type=typhoon
Year=2002
Basin=WPac
Image location=Typhoon Pongsona (2002).jpg

Guam
Formed=December 2, 2002
Dissipated=December 11, 2002
1-min winds=130
10-min winds=95
Pressure=940
Da

Inflated=-1
Fatalities=1 indirect
Areas=Guam, Northern Marianas Islands
Hurricane season=2002 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Pongsona (international designation: "0226", JTWC designation: "31W") was the last typhoon of the 2002 Pacific typhoon season, and was the costliest United States disaster in 2002.cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency|year=2003|title=Super Typhoon Pongsona: The First 100 Days Over $300 Million In Disaster Relief And Assistance|accessdate=2007-07-27|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2240] The name "Pongsona" was contributed by North Korea for the Pacific tropical cyclone list and is the Korean name for the garden balsam. Pongsona developed out of an area of disturbed weather on December 2, and steadily intensified to reach typhoon status on December 5. On December 8 it passed through Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands while near its peak winds of 175 km/h (110 mph 10-min). It ultimately turned to the northeast, weakened, and became extratropical on December 11.

Typhoon Pongsona produced strong wind gusts peaking at 278 km/h (173 mph 1-min), which left the entire island of Guam without power and destroyed about 1,300 houses. With strong building standards and experience from repeated typhoon strikes, there were no fatalities directly related to Pongsona, although there was one indirect death from flying glass. Damage on the island totaled over $700 million (2002 USD, $800 million 2007 USD), making Pongsona among the five costliest typhoons on the island. The typhoon also caused heavy damage on Rota and elsewhere in the Northern Marianas Islands, and as a result of its impact the name was retired.

Meteorological history

During late November, an area of convection persisted about 625 kilometers (390 mi) east-southeast of Pohnpei. Satellite imagery indicated broad cyclonic turning in the lower levels of the atmosphere, and a trough was located near the surface.cite web|author=Bryant et al.|year=2002|title=November 30 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Nov/2002113006-ABPW.PGTW] With beneficial outflow aloft, the disturbance developed rainbands as deep convection increased near its mid-level circulation.cite web|author=Smith et al.|year=2002|title=November 30 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory (2)|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Nov/2002113022-ABPW.PGTW] A low-level circulation formed on December 1, which was initially weak, elongated, and slightly removed from the deep convection.cite web|author=Bryant et al.|year=2002|title=December 2 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120206-ABPW.PGTW] Weak to moderate vertical wind shear allowed the low-level circulation center to consolidate near its cycling convection.cite web|author=Bryant et al.|year=2002|title=December 2 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory (2)|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120214-ABPW.PGTW] Based on its organization, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the system a tropical depression at 0600 UTC on December 2 while it was located 735 km (450 mi) east-northeast of Pohnpei.cite web|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|year=2002|title=2003 Western Pacific Tropical Summary|accessdate=2006-07-19|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2002/Text/Text2002.pdf|format=PDF] Shortly thereafter, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, and at 1800 UTC on December 2 the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Depression 31W.cite web|author=Waugaman|year=2002|title=Tropical Depression 31W (SW of Kwajalein)|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120218-TPPN.PGTW]

Upon first becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression tracked northwestward, and in the hours after being classified the circulation became exposed to the east of the deepest convection due to wind shear. The JTWC upgraded the depression to tropical storm status early on December 3,cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=2002|title=Tropical Storm 31W Warning NR 002|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120303-WTPN.PGTW] and subsequent to a decrease in the shear the convection redeveloped over the circulation.cite web|author=Lam|year=2002|title=Tropical Storm 31W|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120306-TPPN.PGTW] Accordingly, the JMA upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Pongsona at 1200 UTC on December 3 while located 375 km (230 mi) northeast of Pohnpei. Located to the south of an upper-level ridge, Pongsona turned westward and gradually intensified.cite web|author=Wingeart et al.|year=2002|title=Tropical Storm Pongsona Prognostic Reasoning 004|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120315-WDPN.PGTW] On December 5, the storm developed tightly curved banding features and began forming an eyewall; both the JTWCcite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=2002|title=Typhoon 31W (Pongsona) Warning NR 011|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120509-WTPN.PGTW] and the JMA upgraded Pongsona to a typhoon while centered about 1150 km (715 mi) southeast of Guam.

A developing baroclinic system to the east of Japan weakened the subtropical ridge, allowing Typhoon Pongsona to turn to the northwest. Its eye became better defined, and the cyclone continued to gradually intensify.cite web|author=Leejoice et al.|year=2002|title=Typhoon Pongsona Prognostic Reasoning 018|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-20|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120703-WDPN.PGTW] By late on December 7 it developed a well-defined 55 km (35 mi) wide eye as it approached Guam,cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=2002|title=Typhoon 31W (Pongsona) Warning NR 022|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120803-WTPN.PGTW] and the next day the JTWC assessed Pongsona as a 240 km/h (150 mph 1-min winds) supertyphoon, its peak intensity. At 0500 UTC on December 8 the eyewall made landfall on Guam.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=2002|title=Typhoon 31W (Pongsona) Warning NR 023|accessdate=2007-06-19|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120809-WTPN.PGTW] Shortly thereafter, the JMA estimated Pongsona attained a peak intensity of 175 km/h (110 mph 10-min winds) just to the north of Guam. The typhoon turned to the north-northwest through a weakness in the subtropical ridge a short distance west of the Northern Marianas Islands. On December 9, convection began to weaken as Pongsona began interacting with a mid-latitude system to its north.cite web|author=Wingeart et al.|year=2002|title=Typhoon Pongsona Prognistic Reasoning 028|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-20|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002120915-WDPN.PGTW] Dry air became entrained in the north and western portion of the circulation;cite web|author=Bryant et al.|year=2002|title=Typhoon Pongsona Prognostic Reasoning 030|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-20|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002121003-WDPN.PGTW] the eyewall steadily deteriorated, and the low-level circulation became exposed to the west of the diminishing convection.cite web|author=Bryant et al.|year=2002|title=Typhoon Pongsona Prognostic Reasoning 034|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=2007-06-20|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2002/Dec/2002121103-WDPN.PGTW] As a result, both the JTWC and the JMA declared Pongsona as an extratropical cyclone on December 11 about 1400 km (865 mi) northwest of Wake Island.

Differences among warning centers

The Japan Meteorological Agency uses 10-minute sustained winds, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center uses 1-minute sustained winds. The conversion factor between the two is 1.14.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=2005|title=Frequently Asked Questions|accessdae=2006-07-23|url=https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTFAQ.html] JMA's peak intensity for Pongsona was 170 km/h (105 mph) 10-minute sustained, or 195 km/h (120 mph) 1-minute sustained. The JTWC's peak intensity for Pongsona was 240 km/h (150 mph) 1-minute sustained, or 210 km/h (130 mph) 10-minute sustained. The National Meteorological Center of China estimated a peak intensity of 185 km/h (115 mph) 10-minute sustained, or 210 km/h (135 mph) 1-minute sustained.cite web|author=Gary Padgett|year=2003|title=Tropical Cyclone Summary for December 2002|accessdate=2006-07-19|url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2003/summ0212.htm]

Preparations

The Guam National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for the Marshall Islands shortly after Pongsona developed into a tropical storm, and a day later watches were issued for Chuuk. On December 5, the service issued tropical storm warnings for all of the Federal States of Micronesia.cite web|author=John J. Kelly Jr.|year=2003|title=Super Typhoon Pongsona Service Assessment|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|accessdate=2006-10-07|url=http://www.weather.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/Pongsona.pdf|format=PDF] As Pongsona became a typhoon, the Guam National Weather Service issued a typhoon watch for Guam, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian, which was upgraded to a typhoon warning about 23 hours prior to the onset of typhoon-force winds; typhoon warnings were also issued for the unpopulated island of Agrihan. By one day before the typhoon moved through the Mariana Islands, local weather offices predicted Pongsona to pass well east of the area. Despite a more westward track than anticipated, forecasts remained stagnant until the morning of December 8, when two lead forecasters reluctantly predicted much greater threat to the Mariana Islands. As a result, many citizens felt they were unprepared and insufficiently warned for the typhoon.

Nine shelters throughout the Northern Mariana Islands were opened to accommodate families needing assistance. Several schools opened classrooms as evacuation centers.cite news|author=Saipan Tribune|year=2002|title=Residents told: Prepare for typhoon|accessdate=2006-10-07|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=24646] On Guam, ten schools were used as shelters,cite web|author=Sabina Salas|year=2002|title=Brace for impact:Pongsona to hit Guam and Rota this afternoon|publisher=KUAM|accessdate=2006-10-07|url=http://www.kuam.com/news/4758.aspx] and on the day of impact 2,271 people were in shelters. On Rota, 159 people sought shelter, and in Saipan, 549 were in shelters by the day of impact.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Typhoon Pongsona|accessdate=2006-10-10|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~484791] The Guam Memorial Hospital officials advised all pregnant women within 32 weeks of their delivery date to check in. The Guam Office of Civil Defense filed the paperwork for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare the island a disaster area. Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez took similar measures to declare a state of emergency for the area. Following experience from previous typhoons, Guam newspaper Pacific Daily News underwent preparations to provide internet updates for the storm, including reinforcing the building, maintaining sufficient food supplies for the staff, and stationing two reporters elsewhere on the island; the paper was the only immediate source of information about the typhoon outside of Guam.cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=When the Media is a Disaster Victim: How one small Paper kept the world informed|accessdate=2006-10-07|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2295]

Impact

Federal States of Micronesia

Early in its duration, Pongsona first affected Pohnpei as a tropical storm. There, it produced heavy rains and gusty winds, though little damage was reported. Later, it brought tropical storm force winds to Chuuk. High waves from the storm washed over and covered some atolls.

Guam

Typhoon Pongsona maintained a 65 km (40 mi) wide eye upon crossing the northern, populated portion of the island of Guam; the Andersen Air Force Base was in the eye for two hours. Sustained winds from the typhoon peaked at 232 km/h (144 mph) with gusts peaking at 278 km/h (173 mph); gusts of at least 160 km/h (100 mph) affected the entire island. The lowest pressure on the island was 935 millibars (27.61 inHg), making Pongsona the third most intense typhoon to strike Guam; it is behind only a typhoon in 1900 (926 mbar, 27.34 inHg) and Typhoon Karen of 1962 (932 mbar, 27.52 inHg).

Communications on the island failed due to the winds; the entire island was left without power and phone service.cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency|year=2003|title=Update on Recovery Efforts in Guam and Rota following Super Typhoon Pongsona|accessdate=2007-06-29|url=http://www.nvoad.org/uploads/reports/NVOADnews%20Issue%2037%20%20February%2011,%202003.doc|format=DOC] The winds greatly damaged 715 power poles and 513 transformers, leaving about $52 million in electrical damage reported (2002 USD, $59 million 2007 USD). The local weather office's communication link was cut off after flooding damaged a telecommunication facility, causing the National Weather Service in Honolulu, Hawaii to provide backup support by temporarily issuing warnings and advisories. Many anemometers near the northern coastline failed from the winds. The winds collapsed several walls at the Guam Memorial Hospital, resulting in major damage throughout the northern two-thirds of the facility and several units being shut down. Several hotels, churches, and schools received moderate damage, and the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport received damage to navigation equipment. Typhoon Pongsona also left 65% of the island's water wells inoperable, with most of Guam left without water service following the storm. Officials estimate the typhoon destroyed 1,300 homes, severely damaged 1,825, and lightly damaged 4,800. [cite web|author=Bonnie Gillespie|year=2002|title=Hope Prevails Amid Complex Recovery in Guam|publisher=RedCross.org|accessdate=2007-07-23|url=http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/021215pongsona.html]

Tracking slowly across the center of the island, the intense inner rainbands dropped heavy rainfall which peaked at 650 mm (25.61 in) at the University of Guam. The precipitation led to record river flow on the Pago and Asan Rivers; overflown rivers caused damage to some roads and bridges. The rainfall also caused extensive flooding in several villages. Pongsona produced a storm surge of up to 6 m (20 ft) at some locations, with 3ndash 4 m (9ndash 13 ft) recorded near the eyewall. Considerable storm surge flooding occurred from Tumon southward to Piti, leaving some buildings on the west coast of the island flooded with 1 m (4 ft) of water. The combination of strong storm surge and rough waves caused considerable beach erosion and severe coastal damage.

Across Guam, damage totaled over $700 million (2003 USD, $800 million 2007 USD), placing it among the five costliest typhoons on the island. The typhoon injured 193 people, as reported by the Guam Department of Health; most were lacerations and fractures caused by flying glass and other debris. There was one indirect death attributed to the storm, when a 71-year old woman was cut by flying glass and subsequently suffered a fatal heart attack; medical help could not reach her due to the intensity of the storm. As six typhoons had passed directly over the island during the previous ten years, officials in Guam enacted strong building standards, keeping deaths and injuries to a minimum. The typhoon was considered by the public the worst typhoon to ever strike the island due to the large eye affecting most of the population.

Northern Mariana Islands

Pongsona produced sustained winds of 126 km/h (78 mph) with a gust to 137 km/h (85 mph) on Rota. The combination of winds and other effects from the typhoon destroyed 114 houses, severely damaged 154, and caused minor damage to 306; on the island, about 200 families were left homeless. The typhoon produced a storm surge of 6.7 m (22 ft) at Songsong Village, which crossed about 80% of the southwestern peninsula on Rota. The surge caused moderate beach erosion on the island, and destroyed a fuel pier and a loading pipeline. Additionally, the typhoon caused severe crop damage on the island. In all, the typhoon caused ten minor injuries on Rota, and resulted in over $30 million in damage (2002 USD, $34 million 2007 USD).

On Tinian, the passage of Pongsona destroyed two homes; seven received major damage and another eight sustained minor damage. The winds damaged power lines, causing two island-wide power outages. Major crop damage was reported.

On Saipan, two houses were destroyed and fifteen were damaged, of which seven severely. Sustained winds on the island peaked at 71 km/h (44 mph), which caused scattered power outages. Six minor injuries were reported, and damage totaled about $100,000 (2002 USD, $114,000 USD 2007 USD).

Aftermath

On the same day of Typhoon Pongsona striking Guam, President George W. Bush declared the island a major disaster area. [cite web|author=Federal Emergency Management Agency|accessdate=2007-06-29|title=President Declares Major Disaster For Guam Typhoon|year=2002|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2134] Around the time of the cyclone passing over the island, 2,271 residents were in shelters, and by the next day it increased to 3,467 after people discovered their homes were uninhabitable. With thirteen Red Cross shelters across Guam,cite web|author=FEMA|year=2002|title=Coordinating Massive Federal Aid For Guam|accessdate=2007-07-23|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2136] most remained in shelters for about three weeks before disaster tents were distributed. The American Red Cross worked with the United States Department of Agriculture to provide meals for shelter attendees for a two week period following the typhoon. Through the collaboration of federal and other agencies, disaster assistance on Guam totaled over $300 million (2003 USD, $335 million 2007 USD) by 100 days after the typhoon struck, including $60 million (2002 USD, $67 million 2007 USD) in initial disaster response. Nearly 29,000 individuals registered for disaster assistance, with the first assistance check arrived ten days after the disaster declaration. By three months after the storm, the United States Small Business Administration approved $130 million (2003 USD, $145 million 2007 USD) in low-interest loans.

During the height of the typhoon at Cabras Island on Guam, a gasoline tank caught fire, believed to be from friction caused by extremely high winds running through its ventilation system. The tank exploded, sending its lid airborne and spreading the fire to other nearby tanks. The proximity of the tanks as well as low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts, and the fire was extinguished five days later; it resulted in three destroyed gasoline tanks with two more caught on fire. While the fire was burning, transportation of gasoline from the port to the rest of Guam was suspended resulting in a halt in gasoline sales for the general public.

On December 11, 2002, President Bush extended the disaster declaration to include the Northern Marianas Islands, which allocated emergency disaster aid for the territory. The declaration provided funding for 75% of the budget for debris removal and emergency protective measures. [cite web|author=FEMA|accessdate=2007-07-23|title=President Orders Disaster Aid For Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Response|year=2002|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2130] Immediately following the typhoon, FEMA assigned various federal agencies to respond to the island of Rota. Officials airlifted about 3,600 kg (8,000 lbs) of emergency supplies including tents, tarps, water containers, coolers, cooking kits and electrical equipment. Military personnel were transported to assist in recovery efforts. By four months after the typhoon, 749 individuals on the island registered through FEMA's teleregistration number. The United States Small Business Administration approved 147 lowndash interest loans for $9.1 million (2003 USD, $10.2 million 2007 USD) to individuals and businesses and for economic injury on Rota. In all, disaster aid to Rota totaled $17.4 million (2003 USD, $19.4 million 2007 USD). [cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=CNMI Disaster Assistance Tops $17 Million For Typhoon Pongsona|accessdate=2007-07-23|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2360] Additionally, President Bush authorized disaster assistance for the Federated States of Micronesia. [cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=President Declares Major Disaster For Micronesia|accessdate=2007-07-23|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2125]

Due to the damage resulted from the storm, the name "Pongsona" was retired during the 38th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and World Meteorological Organization typhoon committee in November 2005; it was replaced with the name "Noul". [cite web|author=ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee|year=2005|title=38th Session of the Typhoon Committee|accessdate=2007-07-27|url=http://www.disaster.go.th/html/ricb/foreign/2006/tc/typhoon38.html]

See also

* List of tropical cyclones

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Typhoon Paka — Infobox Hurricane Name = Typhoon Paka Type = typhoon Year = 1997 Basin = EPac Image location = Paka 15 dec 1997 0429Z.jpg Formed = November 28, 1997 Dissipated = December 23, 1997 1 min winds = 160 10 min winds = 100 Pressure = 901 Damages = 580… …   Wikipedia

  • Typhoon Xangsane — This article is about the 2006 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Xangsane (disambiguation). Typhoon Xangsane (Milenyo) Typhoon (JMA) Category 4 typhoon (SSHS) Xangsane east of the …   Wikipedia

  • Typhoon Morakot — This article is about the 2009 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Morakot (disambiguation). Typhoon Morakot (Kiko) Typhoon (JMA) Category 1 typhoon (SSHS) Typhoon Morakot near peak intensity …   Wikipedia

  • Typhoon Chanchu — This article is about the 2006 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Chanchu (disambiguation). Typhoon Chanchu (Caloy) Typhoon (JMA) Category 4 typhoon (SSHS) Typhoon Chanchu on …   Wikipedia

  • 2002 Pacific typhoon season — Infobox hurricane season Basin=WPac Year=2002 Track=2002 Pacific typhoon season summary.jpg First storm formed=January 12, 2002 Last storm dissipated=December 11, 2002 Strongest storm name=Fengshen Strongest storm winds=100 Strongest storm… …   Wikipedia

  • 2006 Pacific typhoon season — Infobox hurricane season Basin=WPac Year=2006 Track=2006 Pacific typhoon season summary.jpg First storm formed=May 9, 2006 Last storm dissipated=December 19, 2006 Strongest storm name=Yagi Strongest storm winds=105 Strongest storm pressure=910… …   Wikipedia

  • Wikiproyecto:Guam — Este wikiproyecto se encuentra inactivo Esto no significa que no puedas trabajar en los artículos de este tema por tu cuenta o que no haya otros haciendo lo mismo. También puedes animarte a buscar nuevos colaboradores, retirar esta plantilla y… …   Wikipedia Español

  • 05C — Taifun Paka Taifun (JMA) Kategorie 5 Taifun (SSHS) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Taifun Paka — Taifun (JMA) Kategorie 5 Taifun (SSHS) Supertaifun …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • List of wettest tropical cyclones by country — This is a list of wetest tropical cyclones by country, using all known available sources. Data is most complete for Australia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Taiwan, Yap, Chuuk, and the United States, with fragmentary… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”