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Typhoon Nina (1987)
Encyclopedia
Super Typhoon Nina was the most intense and destructive typhoon of the 1987 Pacific typhoon season
. Nina, also designated Super Typhoon Sisang, was the worst typhoon to strike the Philippines
in 20 years.
on November 16. For two days the disturbance moved westward until November 19 when it was upgraded to tropical depression status. Later, Nina was further upgraded to tropical storm status south of the Truk Atoll on November 21 as the storm moved southwestward at 20 mph. Later that day, the storm reached typhoon status. Nina then passed north of the islands of Ulithi
and Yap
. As Nina approached the Philippine Islands, the storm rapidly intensified into a giant, 800 mile wide category 5
supertyphoon, with sustained winds at 165 mph (145 kt). On November 25, Supertyphoon Nina made landfall in the Bicol Region, bringing extremely strong winds and heavy rains and a maximum gust of 175 kts (205 mph). The storm's barometric pressure plunged to 891 millibars (26.33 inHg) as it made landfall. Nina then crossed the Southern Luzon area and entered the South China Sea
. By November 28, the storm was beginning to weaken due to wind-shear and on 28 November the storm dissipated over the South China Sea
.
coast were completely submerged by Nina's storm surge
, and 35,000 homes and buildings were destroyed. Between 540-687 people were killed and between 80,000 and 100,000 people were left homeless. The damage in the Philippines was at $26 million (1987 USD). Nine countries and several foreign Red Cross organizations responded to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Nina.http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/OCHA-64BMV8?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=ACOS-635PGM President
Corazon Aquino
declared four regions in Luzon
are under State of calamity after the onslaught of a supertyphoon. Despite that, PAGASA did not retire the name Sisang on the list of tropical cyclones in the country.
1987 Pacific typhoon season
The 1987 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1987, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern...
. Nina, also designated Super Typhoon Sisang, was the worst typhoon to strike the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 20 years.
Meteorological history
Nina formed from an low pressure system west of the international date lineInternational Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
on November 16. For two days the disturbance moved westward until November 19 when it was upgraded to tropical depression status. Later, Nina was further upgraded to tropical storm status south of the Truk Atoll on November 21 as the storm moved southwestward at 20 mph. Later that day, the storm reached typhoon status. Nina then passed north of the islands of Ulithi
Ulithi
Ulithi is an atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, about 191 km east of Yap. It consists of 40 islets totalling , surrounding a lagoon about long and up to wide—at one of the largest in the world. It is administered by the state of Yap in the Federated States of...
and 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...
. As Nina approached the Philippine Islands, the storm rapidly intensified into a giant, 800 mile wide category 5
Category 5
Category 5 may refer to:*Category 5 , an album from rock band, FireHouse*Category 5 cable, used for carrying data*Category 5 computer virus, as classified by Symantec Corporation*Category 5 Records, a record label...
supertyphoon, with sustained winds at 165 mph (145 kt). On November 25, Supertyphoon Nina made landfall in the Bicol Region, bringing extremely strong winds and heavy rains and a maximum gust of 175 kts (205 mph). The storm's barometric pressure plunged to 891 millibars (26.33 inHg) as it made landfall. Nina then crossed the Southern Luzon area and entered the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. By November 28, the storm was beginning to weaken due to wind-shear and on 28 November the storm dissipated over the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
.
Impact
Nina killed 692-1036 people and left $40 million dollars (1987 USD) in damage from its strong winds and heavy rains making it the deadliest typhoon of the 1987 Pacific typhoon season.Truk Atoll
Several weather stations in the Truk Atoll reported sustained winds between 60-70 mph and an 90 mph gust was reported in Moen Island.Five people were killed and 38 injured, mainly from landslides or drowning incidents and 40,000 people were ether left homeless or without power. There was $30–40 million dollars in damage to buildings and crops and in the aftermath, U.S. Military airlifted food and supplies to the ravaged islands.Ulithi Island
There was moderate damage from floods and 20% of the buildings received structural damage.Philippines
Fourteen fishing villages along the PhilippinePhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
coast were completely submerged by Nina's storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
, and 35,000 homes and buildings were destroyed. Between 540-687 people were killed and between 80,000 and 100,000 people were left homeless. The damage in the Philippines was at $26 million (1987 USD). Nine countries and several foreign Red Cross organizations responded to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Nina.http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/OCHA-64BMV8?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=ACOS-635PGM President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino
Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
declared four regions in 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...
are under State of calamity after the onslaught of a supertyphoon. Despite that, PAGASA did not retire the name Sisang on the list of tropical cyclones in the country.
