Tropical Storm Soudelor (2009)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Soudelor (International designation: 0905; JTWC
designation: 05W; PAGASA
designation: Gorio) was a weak tropical cyclone
that produced deadly flooding in the Philippines, China and Vietnam. Forming out of an area of low pressure on July 9, Soudelor failed to maintain deep convection
around its center
for the duration of its existence. On July 10, the depression brushed the northern Philippines and intensified into a tropical storm on July 11. Later that day, the storm crossed the Leizhou Peninsula
. The last public advisory from the JMA was issued the following day after Soudelor made landfall in southern China.
In the Philippines, Soudelor produced severe flooding that killed one person and resulted in the issuance of a state of calamity. The storm later killed 15 people in southern China after a group of hikers were washed away in a flash flood on Hainan Island. In Vietnam, rainfall up to 250 mm (9.8 in) caused widespread flooding. Lightning triggered by the storm killed two people in the country.
(JTWC) reported that an area of disturbed weather had formed 900 km (560 mi) to the northwest of Yap
. Deep convection
was embedded in a broad, weak, poorly defined circulation
that was starting to be enhanced by a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
to the east of the system. Over the next couple of days, gradual development took place and early on July 9, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
was issued by the JTWC. Around the same time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) designated the system as a tropical depression, giving it the name Gorio. Later that day both the JMA and the JTWC reported that the depression had formed and started to issue warnings on the depression, with the JTWC designating it as 05W;
On July 10, PAGASA issued their final advisory on Tropical Depression Gorio as it moved out of their area of responsibility. Hampered by an unfavorable upper-level environment, the depression barely intensified into a tropical storm early on July 11. Upon becoming a tropical storm, the JMA named the system Soudelor reporting peak winds of 65 km/h, (40 mph). Later that day the JTWC reported that Soudelor had weakened into a depression; however they re-upgraded it to a tropical storm as it moved closer to Hainan Province. Shortly before landfall in Leizhou Peninsula
, China, the JTWC downgraded the storm to a tropical depression. After moving back over water in the Gulf of Tonkin
, the JTWC issued their final advisory on the depression. The JMA, however, continued to monitor Soudelor until it made landfall near Fangchenggang
, China several hours later.
issued public storm signal one for nine regions of the northern Philippines. As a tropical depression, Soudelor brushed northern Luzon
in the Philippines, producing upwards of 330 mm (13 in) of rainfall which resulted in flash flooding and landslides. In Ilocos Norte
, major roadways were completely blocked by high waters. The storm affected 19,845 people throughout the Philippines and one person was killed after being swept away by a fast current. At least ten villages were flooded during the storm. Three homes were destroyed and two more were damaged by Soudelor. A total of 42 barangays were flooded by the storm, killing 21 cows and isolating low-lying areas. On July 10, a battalion from the army engineers were deployed to the affected region to repair infrastructure. Following the storm, the hardest hit town Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
, was put under a state of calamity and regional aid was deployed to the area. Total damage was estimated at PHP 205 million $4.4 (US 2009).
, the Hong Kong Observatory
issued standby signal No. 1 as Soudelor neared the region on July 11. The following day, the signal was raised to strong wind No. 3 due to the possibility of landfall near the region. The signal was lowered back to No. 1 later that day before they were all canceled early on July 12. The emergency response system was put at level four water-disaster in preparation for torrential rainfall from Soudelor. A red alert was also declared for the affected regions. Torrential rains in Hainan
caused significant flooding that killed 15 hikers and left several others missing. Numerous roads were also cut off or destroyed by landslides and 30 villages were inundated with flood waters. In Hong Kong, outer bands of Soudelor produced squally rain showers on July 11. About 20 trees reportedly fell within Hong Kong, one of which struck a mini bus terminal. The direct economic loss to china was estimated at about RMB 1.71billion, ($5.4 million 2009 USD).
.
. The capital city experienced flash flooding, inundating numerous streets and buildings. Two men were killed by lightning strikes associated with the storm. Officials reported that at least 13 large trees had been downed by high winds. Flood waters in the hardest-hit areas reached a depth of 0.35 m (1.1 ft). One person was killed after being swept away. A tornado
also touched down during the storm, destroying the roofs of three homes. Thousands of hectares of croplands were inundated by flood waters. Following the storm, 1,000 tonnes of rice was allocated for victims of the floods.
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
designation: 05W; PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
designation: Gorio) was a weak tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
that produced deadly flooding in the Philippines, China and Vietnam. Forming out of an area of low pressure on July 9, Soudelor failed to maintain deep convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
around its center
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
for the duration of its existence. On July 10, the depression brushed the northern Philippines and intensified into a tropical storm on July 11. Later that day, the storm crossed the Leizhou Peninsula
Leizhou Peninsula
The Leizhou Peninsula or Leizhou Bandao is a peninsula in the southernmost part of Guangdong province in southern China.-Geography:Leizhou Peninsula is the third largest peninsula in China with an area of of circa 8,500 square kilometer located on the southwestern end of Guangdong, with the Gulf...
. The last public advisory from the JMA was issued the following day after Soudelor made landfall in southern China.
In the Philippines, Soudelor produced severe flooding that killed one person and resulted in the issuance of a state of calamity. The storm later killed 15 people in southern China after a group of hikers were washed away in a flash flood on Hainan Island. In Vietnam, rainfall up to 250 mm (9.8 in) caused widespread flooding. Lightning triggered by the storm killed two people in the country.
Meteorological history
Late on July 7, the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(JTWC) reported that an area of disturbed weather had formed 900 km (560 mi) to the northwest of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
. Deep convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
was embedded in a broad, weak, poorly defined circulation
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
that was starting to be enhanced by a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
to the east of the system. Over the next couple of days, gradual development took place and early on July 9, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued by the JTWC. Around the same time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
(PAGASA) designated the system as a tropical depression, giving it the name Gorio. Later that day both the JMA and the JTWC reported that the depression had formed and started to issue warnings on the depression, with the JTWC designating it as 05W;
On July 10, PAGASA issued their final advisory on Tropical Depression Gorio as it moved out of their area of responsibility. Hampered by an unfavorable upper-level environment, the depression barely intensified into a tropical storm early on July 11. Upon becoming a tropical storm, the JMA named the system Soudelor reporting peak winds of 65 km/h, (40 mph). Later that day the JTWC reported that Soudelor had weakened into a depression; however they re-upgraded it to a tropical storm as it moved closer to Hainan Province. Shortly before landfall in Leizhou Peninsula
Leizhou Peninsula
The Leizhou Peninsula or Leizhou Bandao is a peninsula in the southernmost part of Guangdong province in southern China.-Geography:Leizhou Peninsula is the third largest peninsula in China with an area of of circa 8,500 square kilometer located on the southwestern end of Guangdong, with the Gulf...
, China, the JTWC downgraded the storm to a tropical depression. After moving back over water in the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
, the JTWC issued their final advisory on the depression. The JMA, however, continued to monitor Soudelor until it made landfall near Fangchenggang
Fangchenggang
Fangchenggang , formerly Fangcheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County , is a prefecture-level city in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.-Geography and climate:...
, China several hours later.
Philippines
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services AdministrationPhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
issued public storm signal one for nine regions of the northern Philippines. As a tropical depression, Soudelor brushed northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
in the Philippines, producing upwards of 330 mm (13 in) of rainfall which resulted in flash flooding and landslides. In Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...
, major roadways were completely blocked by high waters. The storm affected 19,845 people throughout the Philippines and one person was killed after being swept away by a fast current. At least ten villages were flooded during the storm. Three homes were destroyed and two more were damaged by Soudelor. A total of 42 barangays were flooded by the storm, killing 21 cows and isolating low-lying areas. On July 10, a battalion from the army engineers were deployed to the affected region to repair infrastructure. Following the storm, the hardest hit town Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
Bacarra is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 31,485 people in 6,289 households.-Barangays:Bacarra is politically subdivided into 43 barangays.-External links:*...
, was put under a state of calamity and regional aid was deployed to the area. Total damage was estimated at PHP 205 million $4.4 (US 2009).
China
In Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, the Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
issued standby signal No. 1 as Soudelor neared the region on July 11. The following day, the signal was raised to strong wind No. 3 due to the possibility of landfall near the region. The signal was lowered back to No. 1 later that day before they were all canceled early on July 12. The emergency response system was put at level four water-disaster in preparation for torrential rainfall from Soudelor. A red alert was also declared for the affected regions. Torrential rains in Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
caused significant flooding that killed 15 hikers and left several others missing. Numerous roads were also cut off or destroyed by landslides and 30 villages were inundated with flood waters. In Hong Kong, outer bands of Soudelor produced squally rain showers on July 11. About 20 trees reportedly fell within Hong Kong, one of which struck a mini bus terminal. The direct economic loss to china was estimated at about RMB 1.71billion, ($5.4 million 2009 USD).
.
Vietnam
Ahead of the storm, 4,000 fishing vessels were ordered to return to port and up to 200 volunteers were mobilized to deal with damages from the storm. Officials evacuated people from 297 residences to higher grounds and reported that 977 other homes were in threatened areas. Roughly VND71 billion (US$3.98 million) was set aside by the Government of Vietnam to assist residents in natural disasters, including Soudelor. An estimated 5,000 sandbags and 1,000 cubic meters of canvas were distributed to flood-prone areas. The remnants of Soudelor produced widespread torrential rains in Northern Vietnam on July 13. Rainfall totals peaked at 250 mm (9.8 in) in the region. Heavy rainfall, amounting to 130 mm (5.1 in), was also recorded in HanoiHanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. The capital city experienced flash flooding, inundating numerous streets and buildings. Two men were killed by lightning strikes associated with the storm. Officials reported that at least 13 large trees had been downed by high winds. Flood waters in the hardest-hit areas reached a depth of 0.35 m (1.1 ft). One person was killed after being swept away. A tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
also touched down during the storm, destroying the roofs of three homes. Thousands of hectares of croplands were inundated by flood waters. Following the storm, 1,000 tonnes of rice was allocated for victims of the floods.
See also
- Timeline of the 2009 Pacific typhoon seasonTimeline of the 2009 Pacific typhoon seasonThis timeline documents all of the events of the 2009 Pacific typhoon season which was the period that tropical cyclones formed in the Western Pacific Ocean during 2009, with most of the tropical cyclones forming between May and November. The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean,...
- Typhoons in the PhilippinesTyphoons in the PhilippinesTyphoons in the Philippines refer in general to tropical cyclones that enter the Philippine area of responsibility and affect the Philippines. Locally they are called bagyo...
- Effects of the 2009 Pacific typhoon season in the PhilippinesEffects of the 2009 Pacific typhoon season in the PhilippinesThe effects of the 2009 Pacific typhoon season in the Philippines were considered some of the worst in decades. Throughout the year, series of typhoons impacted the country, with the worst damage occurring during September and October from Typhoons Ketsana and Parma.-Seasonal...