Typhoon Yutu (Rosita)
Yutu at peak intensity west of the Northern Mariana Islands on October 25
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 21, 2018
Remnant lowNovember 2, 2018
DissipatedNovember 3, 2018
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure900 hPa (mbar); 26.58 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds280 km/h (175 mph)
Lowest pressure904 hPa (mbar); 26.70 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities30
Damage$854 million (2018 USD)
Areas affectedCaroline Islands, Mariana Islands (particularly Tinian and Saipan), Philippines, South China
IBTrACS
Part of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Yutu, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Rosita, was an extremely powerful tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic destruction on the islands of Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, and later impacted the Philippines. It is the strongest typhoon ever recorded to impact the Mariana Islands, and is tied as the second-strongest tropical cyclone to strike the United States and its unincorporated territories by both wind speed and barometric pressure. It also tied Typhoon Kong-rey as the most powerful tropical cyclone worldwide in 2018. The fortieth tropical depression, twenty-sixth named storm, twelfth typhoon, and the seventh super typhoon of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season, Yutu originated from a low-pressure area that formed in the western Pacific Ocean on October 15. The disturbance organized into a tropical depression on the same day, as ocean sea-surface heat content increased. Shortly after becoming a tropical depression, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assigned the system the identifier 31W. The system continued to strengthen, becoming a tropical storm several hours later, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) naming the system Yutu. Increasingly favorable conditions allowed Yutu to explosively intensify, as the system maintained deep convection and subsequently became a severe tropical storm and then a typhoon.

Through October 23, Yutu continued to explosively intensify, quickly reaching Category 5 super typhoon intensity on October 24. On October 25, Yutu made landfall on the island of Tinian and the southern part of Saipan at its peak intensity, with a minimum central pressure of 900 millibars (27 inHg), 10-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph), 1-minute sustained winds of 280 km/h (170 mph), and gusts of up to 305 km/h (190 mph). This made it the most powerful tropical cyclone to make landfall worldwide in 2018. Immediately after making landfall, Yutu underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, causing it to momentarily weaken as it completed the process. Maintaining super typhoon status, Yutu continued to move westward towards the Philippines, entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) whereupon it was assigned the local name Rosita. Intrusions of dry air and lower sea surface temperatures, however, caused Yutu to weaken significantly through October 28, though it remained a strong typhoon. Late on October 29, Yutu made landfall in the Filipino province of Isabela, with 10-minute sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). The JTWC estimated 1-minute winds to be 165 km/h (103 mph) at that time.

The storm wrought catastrophic damage across Tinian and Saipan, destroying numerous homes and killing two people. Violent winds destroyed concrete structures in southern Saipan and stripped areas of vegetation. In the Philippines, landslides and flooding killed at least 27 people,[1] while in Hong Kong, one person was killed by high surf.[2]

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

Early on October 21, 2018, a tropical depression developed to the east of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, with the JMA initiating advisories on the system. Shortly afterward, the JTWC assigned the storm the identifier 31W.[3] The system began to strengthen, becoming a tropical storm several hours later, and the JMA assigned the name Yutu to the storm.[4] Favorable conditions, including low wind shear and high ocean-surface temperatures, allowed Yutu to explosively intensify on the following day, with the storm reaching severe tropical storm strength and then typhoon intensity a few hours later. From October 23 to 24, Yutu continued to organize and explosively intensify, reaching Category 5 super typhoon intensity on October 24. The typhoon continued to strengthen and displayed a healthy convective structure, while moving towards the island of Saipan.[3]

Around 2:00 a.m. local time on October 25, Typhoon Yutu made landfall on Tinian and the southern part of Saipan at peak intensity,[5][6] as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, with a minimum central pressure of 900 millibars (27 inHg) and 1-minute sustained winds of 280 km/h (170 mph), becoming the most powerful storm on record to impact the Northern Mariana Islands.[7][8] On October 25, the system underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, causing it to weaken into a Category 4 super typhoon as it continued moving westwards. On the next day, Yutu completed its eyewall replacement cycle, and the system regained Category 5 intensity at 12:00 UTC that day.[9] On October 27, Yutu resumed weakening, and weakened into a Category 4 super typhoon. On the same day, Yutu entered PAGASA's Philippine Area of Responsibility (or PAR), and was named Rosita. Yutu continued to weaken while progressing westward, after encountering more unfavorable conditions, including lower sea surface temperatures, and the storm weakened to a Category 3-equivalent typhoon on October 28. At around 21:00 UTC on October 29, Yutu made landfall as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon on the Philippine province of Isabela, on the island of Luzon.[10]

As Yutu entered the South China Sea, it was exposed to the cold and dry air of the northeastern monsoon from China and further weakened into a tropical depression. Late on November 1, Yutu turned towards the south-southwest while rapidly weakening, due to wind shear. On November 2, Yutu degenerated into a remnant low without making another landfall, before dissipating early on the next day.[3]

Preparations

Northern Mariana Islands

In the month prior to Yutu, Typhoon Mangkhut struck the Mariana Islands, prompting emergency officials to stockpile supplies. With relief supplies largely unused, storage facilities on Guam had 220,000 liters of water and 260,000 meals readily available.[11] Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel deployed to both Tinian and Saipan ahead of the storm. U.S. President Donald Trump declared an emergency for the Northern Islands on October 24.[12]

Philippines

On October 25, PAGASA began issuing severe weather bulletins in anticipation of Typhoon Yutu entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility.[13] The agency subsequently raised Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 1 for the majority of Luzon north of Metro Manila on October 28.[14] Following a slightly more southerly track than initially anticipated, PSWS No. 1 later extended to Quezon. PSWS No. 3, indicating winds of 121–170 km/h (75–106 mph) were anticipated, was raised for Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quirino, and northern Aurora provinces on October 29. Furthermore, PSWS No. 2, indicating tropical storm-force winds, covered large swaths of northern Luzon.[15][16][17]

More than 10,000 people, still reeling from the devastating effects of Typhoon Mangkhut in September, evacuated the mountainous areas in northern provinces of Luzon.[18]

Highest Public Storm Warning Signal

PSWS# Luzon Visayas Mindanao
3 Isabela, Quirino, Northern Portion of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Pangasinan None None
2 Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Northern Portion of Quezon including Polillo Island, Rest of Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan None None
1 Metro Manila, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Cavite, Camarines Norte None None

Hong Kong

On November 1, Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3, the first time Strong Wind Signal No. 3 has been issued in November since Typhoon Ira in 1993.[19]

Impact

Northern Mariana Islands

Strongest U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones†
Rank Name‡ Season Wind speed
mph km/h
1 "Labor Day" 1935 185 295
2 Karen 1962 175 280
Camille 1969
Yutu 2018
5 Andrew 1992 165 270
6 "Okeechobee" 1928 160 260
Michael 2018
8 Maria 2017 155 250
9 "Last Island" 1856 150 240
"Indianola" 1886
"Florida Keys" 1919
"Freeport" 1932
Charley 2004
Laura 2020
Ida 2021
Ian 2022
Source: Hurricane Research Division[20]
†Strength refers to maximum sustained wind speed upon striking land.
‡Systems prior to 1950 were not officially named.
A seabee sailor removing debris in Tinian following Typhoon Yutu
Relief efforts after Typhoon Yutu

Striking Tinian and Saipan on October 24 as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, Yutu became the strongest tropical cyclone to ever impact the Mariana Islands and the second-strongest to strike the United States or its territories as a whole, tied with Typhoon Karen in 1962 and Hurricane Camille in 1969.[21][22] Only the 1935 Labor Day hurricane impacted the country at a greater strength.[12] Saipan International Airport recorded wind gusts of 103 mph (166 km/h).[8] Yutu's eyewall also knocked out Saipan's doppler radar on October 25, during the storm's landfall.[8]

On Saipan, the typhoon killed two people; a woman when it wrecked the building she was staying in,[23] and another woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by inhaling the fumes of a generator.[24] At least 133 other people were left injured, three of whom were injured severely.[23] The entirety of both islands were left without electricity. The majority of buildings in southern Saipan lost their roofs or were destroyed, including Hopwood Middle School, which suffered extensive damage.[23] Low-lying vegetation in southern parts of the island were shredded or ripped from the ground.[11] Saipan International Airport sustained significant damage; terminals flooded and navigation aids were rendered inoperable.[25]

The majority of homes on Tinian were severely damaged or destroyed. Some concrete structures sustained significant damage, with a few completely destroyed, and residents reported that those buildings shook during the typhoon. Storm shutters were torn from windows, leaving the interior of structures exposed to wind and water damage. In one instance, a door was ripped from a building and hurled 30 m (100 ft) into a pigsty.[11] The island's only health center sustained major damage; however, no patients were being treated at the time.[12] Tinian International Airport suffered significant damage.[25] Total damage estimated by FEMA reached $800 million.[26]

Meteorologist Brandon Aydlett at the National Weather Service described the typhoon as "the storm which sets the scale for which future storms are compared to".[11]

Philippines

Infrared satellite loop of Typhoon Yutu making landfall over Luzon on October 29

Striking Luzon on October 30, Typhoon Yutu, which was known in the Philippines as Typhoon “Rosita”, produced torrential rain across the mountainous region. Numerous landslides caused significant damage, engulfing homes and blocking roads. Yutu killed a total of 27 people in the Philippines.[1] Five people died after landslides occurred in Banaue and Lubuagan, while flooding claimed one life in Perez. A landslide in Natonin buried a government building, leaving 14 dead.[27] Significant effects were felt in Benguet, La Union, and Nueva Vizcaya, where more than 100 people died during Typhoon Mangkhut in September.[18] As of November 8, 2018, agricultural damage were counted to be ₱2.9 billion (US$54.1 million).[27]

Hong Kong

On October 31, a 25-year-old man died when surfing in Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island, due to high surf, while the standby typhoon signal No. 1 was hoisted.[2]

Aftermath

Guam Army National Guard prepared for the relief efforts of Typhoon Yutu

Before the typhoon's impact, Governor Ralph Torres requested for a presidential emergency declaration in anticipation of the typhoon's projected devastation. U.S. President Donald J. Trump approved his request on October 23, 2018. Immediately after the typhoon's impact, Governor Torres requested for a presidential disaster declaration, which was approved on October 26 by President Trump. Immediately following the typhoon's impact, the Congressional Delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands, Gregorio Sablan, made a request for aid. With the scale of destruction far exceeding Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, power was not expected to be fully restored for months. President Trump signed a major disaster declaration on October 26, enabling the islands to receive federal funding.[28]

Daytime operations at Saipan International Airport resumed by October 27; however, damaged navigation equipment prevented safe operation during the night. The Coast Guard reopened the port of Saipan on October 27, allowing vessels to travel in and out of it. FEMA and the Red Cross established five relief distribution sites on the island which began operations on October 28.[29]

Response efforts

Communication tower damaged by typhoon winds

FEMA scheduled aircraft to deliver relief supplies by October 26. In accordance with changes implemented after Hurricane Maria in 2017, the agency established specific task forces to handle smaller scale facets of the recovery: transportation, communications, food and water, and energy and fuel.[11]

Emergency shelters quickly filled to capacity on both islands by October 25. The same day the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the affected areas and deployed 50 health personnel.[12][28] The USCGC Sequoia and USCGC Kiska ported in Guam sailed for Saipan and Tinian, respectively, with relief supplies.[28]

Direct Relief worked with Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and with other health facilities damaged by the storm to coordinate medical aid shipments to the Northern Mariana Islands. A shipment of 40,000 liters of drinking water along with other essential items was delivered in late October.[30]

On October 26, Matson, Inc. provided $125,000 in funds and deployed its vessel Mana loaded with bottled water and ice.[28]

On October 27, South Korea began airlifting approximately 1,000 stranded tourists from Saipan.[28]

Retirement

Due to the severe damage in the Northern Mariana Islands, the name Yutu was retired during the 52nd annual session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee in February 2020. In February 2021, the Typhoon Committee subsequently chose Yinxing as its replacement name.[31]

In addition, PAGASA officially retired the name Rosita from the rotating lists of tropical cyclone names after the typhoon caused over ₱1 billion in damage on its onslaught in the country, and it will never be used again as a typhoon name within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), despite this being the first time the name was used in the PAGASA Naming List. It was replaced with Rosal, which was used for the first time in 2022.[32]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Global Catastrophe Recap October 2018 (PDF). AON (Report). AON. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Man dies while surfing during typhoon in Shek O". Asia Times. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Tropical Cyclones in 2018 > Review of tropical cyclones in 2018". www.hko.gov.hk. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2018 (PDF) (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Jacey Fortin (October 24, 2018). "'Catastrophic' Super Typhoon Yutu Slams Into U.S. Commonwealth in the Pacific". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935". Washington Post. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ Colin Dwyer (October 24, 2018). "Super Typhoon Yutu, 'Strongest Storm Of 2018,' Slams U.S. Pacific Territory". NPR. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 "Typhoon Yutu Was the Strongest Tropical Cyclone on Record to Pass Over Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands (RECAP)". The Weather Company. October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Super Typhoon Yutu re-intensifies to Category 5 — CIMSS Satellite Blog, CIMSS". Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Typhoon ROSITA (YUTU / 1826) Summary Report" (PDF).
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Caleb Hones and Jennifer Sino Kelleher (October 26, 2018). "A U.S. Pacific Territory Hopes for Federal Help After Being Battered by Super Typhoon Yutu". Time. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Chris Mooney, Juliet Eilperin, and Allyson Chiu (October 25, 2018). "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 1 for Typhoon "Yutu" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  14. ↑ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 04 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. PAGASA. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  15. ↑ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 07 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. PAGASA. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  16. ↑ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 09 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. PAGASA. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  17. ↑ Severe Weather Bulletin No. 10 for Typhoon "Rosita" (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. PAGASA. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Typhoon leaves 6 dead in Philippines, more feared trapped". Ilagan: Associated Press. October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Yutu was the sixth tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong in 2018 and, after Ira in 1993, necessitated the issuance of the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal in November again". Hong Kong Observatory. February 13, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  20. ↑ Landsea, Chris; Anderson, Craig; Bredemeyer, William; et al. (January 2022). Continental United States Hurricanes (Detailed Description). Re-Analysis Project (Report). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Super Typhoon Yutu Strongest to Hit Northern Mariana Islands Ever". The Weather Channel. October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  22. ↑ Chris D'Angelo (October 26, 2018). "Super Typhoon Yutu Shows Not All U.S. Cyclones Get Equal Treatment". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 "Humanitarian crisis looms after Super Typhoon Yutu flattens parts of Saipan and Tinian". Pacific Daily News. USAToday. October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  24. ↑ Haidee V Eugenio (October 30, 2018). "Second death reported as a result of Super Typhoon Yutu". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  25. 1 2 Ferdie De La Torre (October 26, 2018). "Saipan airport will open Sunday for commercial planes only". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  26. ↑ Perez, Jon (June 11, 2019). "FEMA estimates $135M for NMI". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  27. 1 2 Jalad, Ricardo B. (November 11, 2018). SitRep No.20 re Preparedness Measures and Effects of TY ROSITA( I.N YUTU) (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 Haidee V Eugenio (October 27, 2018). "Trump declares major disaster after Super Typhoon Yutu strikes Northern Mariana Islands". USAToday. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  29. ↑ Super Typhoon Yutu Relief & Recovery Update #3 Relief Supply Distribution Sites Open for Residents; Sea and Airport Open for Movement with Limitations (Report). Government of the United States. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  30. ↑ Farber, Amy Simmons (October 26, 2018). "Tropical Cyclone Devastates Northern Mariana Islands". NACHC Blog. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Replacement Names of FAXAI, HAGIBIS, KAMMURI, LEKIMA, PHANFONE, and YUTU in the Tropical Cyclone Name List" (PDF). Typhoon Committee. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  32. ↑ Manabat, Johnson (March 1, 2019). "PAGASA retires typhoon names Ompong, Rosita, Usman". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
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