Typhoon Nabi
Encyclopedia
Typhoon Nabi was the third super typhoon of the 2005 typhoon season
in the northwestern Pacific. The storm had winds up to 175 km/h (108.7 mph) at peak intensity, and caused over 143 injuries and 21 confirmed deaths in Japan
. Damage totaled about 535 million (2005 USD).
persisted about 560 nautical miles (1,035 km) east of Guam
. Satellite imagery indicated a large area of showers and thunderstorms
with developing outflow and a low-level circulation
had formed beneath the convection. At 0000 UTC
on August 29 the Japan Meteorological Agency
(JMA) classified the low as a tropical depression while located about 475 nmi (885 km) east-southeast of Saipan
. The depression was within an area of moderate vertical wind shear
which hindered outflow to the north. Roughly six hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Depression 14W. Almost two days later, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nabi, by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC), a name meaning butterfly
. Nabi strengthened further to become a typhoon the next day, and it passed by the islands of Guam
and Saipan on August 31.
Guam experienced gale-force wind speeds, and up to 75 mm (3 in) of rain. In addition, Saipan experienced wind gusts up to 120 km/h (74.6 mph). Steadily strengthening, Nabi reached Category 5 intensity on September 1, after passing near the Marianas Islands, where President Bush issued a major disaster declaration. Federal funding was also available for the islands of Rota
, Tinian
, and Saipan, but only on a cost sharing basis. As the storm began turning to the north, it entered the Philippine area of responsibility on September 3, where it earned the name Jolina. Weakening slightly, typhoon Nabi (Jolina) passed to the east of Okinawa, Japan, and on September 6, it made landfall on the Kagoshima Prefecture
of Japan, as a Category 2 storm. It weakened to a Category 1 system shortly after landfall, and dissipated shortly thereafter, while located between Russia
and Alaska
. In Japan, 21 deaths were caused by the storm.
Two days after the dissipation of the system, five people were reported missing in South Korea
, and fifty were reported in Japan. In addition, Japan also reported 143 injured people. The storm completely destroyed approximately 10,000 homes, and 31 of 47 prefectures reported damage. Slightly under 100 roads were damaged, and nearly 170 mudslides occurred. The heaviest damage from the storm took place in Miyazaki prefecture
on the island of Kyushu
. No deaths were reported in the Marianas islands, where the storm passed under Category 5 strength.
, officials cancelled several flights in and out of the island, and delayed numerous others in preparation of Typhoon Nabi. Additionally, several schools were used for shelter from the system as it passed by the island. In Kyushu
, officials evacuated over a quarter of a million people in fear of Typhoon Nabi affecting Japan. Means of transportation came to a halt for tens of thousands of people, where ferries and trains were shut down in preparation of the storm. In addition, at least 723 flights to and from the island were cancelled because of the storm.
Japan's second-largest refinery, Idemitsu Kosan
, chose to stop shipments to other refineries across the area, and Japan's largest refinery, Nippon Oil
, stopped all sea shipments. The Cosmo Oil Company
, Japan's fourth largest refinery, stopped all shipments to Yokkaichi and Sakaide refineries. Nearly a thousand and half soldiers were dispatched to Tokyo
in order to help coastal areas prepare for Typhoon Nabi (Jolina)'s arrival, and to clean-up after the storm. On September 4, four days before the dissipation of the storm, officials in the Miyazaki Prefecture
issued a flood warning
for expected heavy rains in the area.
Lastly, 76 domestic and international flights were cancelled, in South Korea.
. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 173.2 mm (6.82 in) over a 24 hour period. Winds on the island were recorded at 51 kts (95 km/h; 59 mph) with a gust up to 65 kts (120 km/h; 75 mph). Two homes were completely destroyed, 26 were deemed uninhabitable, and 77 other sustained minor damages. About 70–80% of the crops on the island were also destroyed. Damages to vegetation resulted in 544 tonnes (600 tons) of debris. The entire island was left without power, some without water, after the storm. On Tinian
, three homes were destroyed and six others were damaged. Only minor flooding and scattered power outages were reported on Rota
. In Guam
, the Untalan Middle School experienced minor flooding which led to an evacuation in the school. Roads were flooded for several hours and scattered power outages were reported. Damages from the four islands was estimated at $2.5 million (2005 USD). One fatality occurred on September 3 when a tourist drowned after being overcome by rip currents produced behind Nabi.
. A landslide in Miyazaki
destroyed five homes, killing three people. Torrential rains, falling at rates 228.6 mm (9 in) per hour or more, caused flooding and landslides throughout the country. A man who was listed as missing was found dead in a flooded rice field. In Tarumi, a landslide buried a home in mud, killing two people.
The record setting rains from Nabi caused significant slope failures and large accumulations of driftwood. The amount of sediment displaced by the rains was estimated at 4,456 m3/km2, over four times the yearly average. A total of 630 m3 (2,066 ft3) of driftwood was recorded.
Continued evacuations took place after the storm made landfall to protect residents from flood waters and landslides. The first evacuation order during the storm took place in the Arita district. In Miyazaki City, 21,483 households were evacuated following reports of significant overflow on the nearby river. Another 10,000 residences were evacuated in Nobeoka following similar reports.
About 237,725 residences were reported to have lost power during the storm.
2005 Pacific typhoon season
The 2005 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2005, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November...
in the northwestern Pacific. The storm had winds up to 175 km/h (108.7 mph) at peak intensity, and caused over 143 injuries and 21 confirmed deaths in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Damage totaled about 535 million (2005 USD).
Meteorological History
During late August, an area of convectionAtmospheric 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...
persisted about 560 nautical miles (1,035 km) east of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. Satellite imagery indicated a large area of showers and thunderstorms
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...
with developing outflow and a low-level 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...
had formed beneath the convection. At 0000 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
on August 29 the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
(JMA) classified the low as a tropical depression while located about 475 nmi (885 km) east-southeast of Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. The depression was within an area of moderate vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
which hindered outflow to the north. Roughly six hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
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...
(JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Depression 14W. Almost two days later, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nabi, by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
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...
(JTWC), a name meaning butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
. Nabi strengthened further to become a typhoon the next day, and it passed by the islands of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
and Saipan on August 31.
Guam experienced gale-force wind speeds, and up to 75 mm (3 in) of rain. In addition, Saipan experienced wind gusts up to 120 km/h (74.6 mph). Steadily strengthening, Nabi reached Category 5 intensity on September 1, after passing near the Marianas Islands, where President Bush issued a major disaster declaration. Federal funding was also available for the islands of Rota
Rota (island)
Rota also known as the "peaceful island", is the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the second southernmost of the Marianas Archipelago. It lies approximately 40 miles north-northeast of the United States territory of Guam...
, Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
, and Saipan, but only on a cost sharing basis. As the storm began turning to the north, it entered the Philippine area of responsibility on September 3, where it earned the name Jolina. Weakening slightly, typhoon Nabi (Jolina) passed to the east of Okinawa, Japan, and on September 6, it made landfall on the Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
of Japan, as a Category 2 storm. It weakened to a Category 1 system shortly after landfall, and dissipated shortly thereafter, while located between Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. In Japan, 21 deaths were caused by the storm.
Two days after the dissipation of the system, five people were reported missing in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, and fifty were reported in Japan. In addition, Japan also reported 143 injured people. The storm completely destroyed approximately 10,000 homes, and 31 of 47 prefectures reported damage. Slightly under 100 roads were damaged, and nearly 170 mudslides occurred. The heaviest damage from the storm took place in Miyazaki prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
on the island of Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. No deaths were reported in the Marianas islands, where the storm passed under Category 5 strength.
Preparations
In GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, officials cancelled several flights in and out of the island, and delayed numerous others in preparation of Typhoon Nabi. Additionally, several schools were used for shelter from the system as it passed by the island. In Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, officials evacuated over a quarter of a million people in fear of Typhoon Nabi affecting Japan. Means of transportation came to a halt for tens of thousands of people, where ferries and trains were shut down in preparation of the storm. In addition, at least 723 flights to and from the island were cancelled because of the storm.
Japan's second-largest refinery, Idemitsu Kosan
Idemitsu Kosan
is a Japanese petroleum company. It owns and operates oil platforms, refineries and produces and sells petroleum, oils and petrochemical products products....
, chose to stop shipments to other refineries across the area, and Japan's largest refinery, Nippon Oil
Nippon Oil
The , or NOC or Shin-Nisseki is a Japanese petroleum company. Its businesses include the exploration, importation, and refining of crude oil; the manufacture and sale of petroleum products, including fuels and lubricants; and other energy-related activities.Its products are sold under the brand...
, stopped all sea shipments. The Cosmo Oil Company
Cosmo Oil Company
is a Japanese petrochemical company.-History:Cosmo traces its corporate roots to Maruzen Petroleum , a company established in 1931, although the oil business operated by Maruzen was originally established by Zenzo Matsumura in Kobe in 1907....
, Japan's fourth largest refinery, stopped all shipments to Yokkaichi and Sakaide refineries. Nearly a thousand and half soldiers were dispatched to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in order to help coastal areas prepare for Typhoon Nabi (Jolina)'s arrival, and to clean-up after the storm. On September 4, four days before the dissipation of the storm, officials in the Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
issued a flood warning
Flood warning
Flood warning is closely linked to the task of flood forecasting. The distinction between the two is that the outcome of flood forecasting is a set of forecast time-profiles of channel flows or river levels at various locations, while "flood warning" is the task of making use of these forecasts to...
for expected heavy rains in the area.
Lastly, 76 domestic and international flights were cancelled, in South Korea.
Impact
Throughout its lifespan, Typhoon Nabi (Jolina) was responsible for the deaths of 39 people and $535 million (2005 USD; $602 million 2011 USD) in damage.Mariana Islands and Guam
On August 31, Typhoon Nabi passed about 30 nmi (55 km; 35 mi) north-northeast of SaipanSaipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 173.2 mm (6.82 in) over a 24 hour period. Winds on the island were recorded at 51 kts (95 km/h; 59 mph) with a gust up to 65 kts (120 km/h; 75 mph). Two homes were completely destroyed, 26 were deemed uninhabitable, and 77 other sustained minor damages. About 70–80% of the crops on the island were also destroyed. Damages to vegetation resulted in 544 tonnes (600 tons) of debris. The entire island was left without power, some without water, after the storm. On Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
, three homes were destroyed and six others were damaged. Only minor flooding and scattered power outages were reported on Rota
Rota (island)
Rota also known as the "peaceful island", is the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the second southernmost of the Marianas Archipelago. It lies approximately 40 miles north-northeast of the United States territory of Guam...
. In Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the Untalan Middle School experienced minor flooding which led to an evacuation in the school. Roads were flooded for several hours and scattered power outages were reported. Damages from the four islands was estimated at $2.5 million (2005 USD). One fatality occurred on September 3 when a tourist drowned after being overcome by rip currents produced behind Nabi.
Japan
Ahead of the storm, high waves and gusty winds led to one drowning when a women was knocked of a ferry in Takamatsu, KagawaTakamatsu, Kagawa
is a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island...
. A landslide in Miyazaki
Miyazaki, Miyazaki
is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Located on the coast and perforated by several rivers, Miyazaki City enjoys scenic views of both ocean and nearby, verdant mountains...
destroyed five homes, killing three people. Torrential rains, falling at rates 228.6 mm (9 in) per hour or more, caused flooding and landslides throughout the country. A man who was listed as missing was found dead in a flooded rice field. In Tarumi, a landslide buried a home in mud, killing two people.
The record setting rains from Nabi caused significant slope failures and large accumulations of driftwood. The amount of sediment displaced by the rains was estimated at 4,456 m3/km2, over four times the yearly average. A total of 630 m3 (2,066 ft3) of driftwood was recorded.
Continued evacuations took place after the storm made landfall to protect residents from flood waters and landslides. The first evacuation order during the storm took place in the Arita district. In Miyazaki City, 21,483 households were evacuated following reports of significant overflow on the nearby river. Another 10,000 residences were evacuated in Nobeoka following similar reports.
About 237,725 residences were reported to have lost power during the storm.
South Korea
Heavy rains amounting up to 622.5 mm (24.5 in) led to six fatalities and caused $115.4 million (2005 USD) in damages.Aftermath
Nearly a month after the dissipation of Typhoon Nabi (Jolina), President George Bush declared a major disaster declaration for the northern Marianas islands, in the wake of the system.Retirement
Due to the effects of the storm in Japan, the name Nabi was retired, and replaced with the name Doksuri.See Also
- 2005 Pacific typhoon season2005 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 2005 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2005, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November...
- Timeline of the 2005 Pacific typhoon seasonTimeline of the 2005 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 2005 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it runs year-round in 2005, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
- List of tropical cyclones