Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan
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Name	Typhoon Haiyan
Formed	November 3, 2013
Dissipated	November 11, 2013
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph), 1-minute sustained: 315 km/h (195 mph)
Lowest pressure	895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg
Damages	$2.98 billion (2013 USD)
Fatalities	6,352 confirmed
Areas	Palau, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Taiwan
Year	2013

Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. Originating from a tropical depression east of the Federated States of Micronesia in early November 2013, it devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Visayas region. The storm caused catastrophic destruction and a major humanitarian crisis, leading to widespread international aid efforts spearheaded by organizations like the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Meteorological history

On November 3, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center began monitoring a tropical disturbance well east of Pohnpei in the Pacific Ocean. The system rapidly organized, with the Japan Meteorological Agency declaring it a tropical depression later that day. Favorable conditions, including very high sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, fueled explosive intensification as it tracked westward. By November 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration assigned it the local name Yolanda upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The cyclone reached its peak intensity on November 7, with the JTWC estimating one-minute sustained winds rivaling those of Typhoon Tip and Hurricane Patricia. It made its first landfall at peak strength in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, before traversing the Central Philippines. Interaction with Luzon and later Vietnam caused gradual weakening before the storm dissipated over Guangxi, China.

Impact

The impact was most severe in the Visayas, where the cities of Tacloban and Roxas, Capiz were largely destroyed. A massive storm surge, estimated locally as high as seven meters, inundated coastal communities, with the Leyte Gulf funneling water into Tacloban City. Across the Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported over 6,300 fatalities, with thousands more missing. Major infrastructure, including Tacloban Airport and the Pan-Philippine Highway, was severely damaged, isolating entire provinces. The agriculture and fishing sectors in regions like Eastern Visayas were crippled. The storm also affected Palau, causing damage in Koror, and later brought heavy rains to Hainan and northern Vietnam, exacerbating flooding.

Aftermath and recovery

The aftermath prompted a massive international response, with the United Nations launching a strategic response plan and the United States deploying the USS George Washington carrier group for Operation Damayan. The World Food Programme and UNICEF led efforts to provide emergency food, water, and medical supplies. Long-term recovery was coordinated by the Philippine government's Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda plan, focusing on rebuilding resilient infrastructure and housing in areas like Eastern Samar. The disaster spurred significant policy changes, including the passage of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and increased focus on climate change adaptation, with advocacy from figures like Naderev Saño.

Preparations and response

Extensive preparations were undertaken across the predicted path. The Government of the Philippines ordered preemptive evacuations for nearly 800,000 people, utilizing early warnings from PAGASA. International agencies, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, pre-positioned relief supplies. Despite these efforts, the unprecedented strength of the storm surge overwhelmed many coastal defenses and evacuation centers. The response was initially hampered by logistical challenges, damaged infrastructure like the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, and looting in Tacloban, leading to the declaration of a state of calamity and the deployment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan contributed significant financial aid and logistical support.

Records and classification

Typhoon Haiyan set several meteorological records. It is tied with Typhoon Meranti for the highest one-minute sustained winds ever estimated at landfall by the JTWC. Its central pressure ranked among the lowest recorded for a tropical cyclone. The event reignited scientific debate on the adequacy of the Saffir–Simpson scale and the Dvorak technique for classifying such intense storms. It is consistently ranked among the deadliest Philippine typhoons, alongside Typhoon Bopha and Typhoon Rai. The name Haiyan was retired by the World Meteorological Organization and replaced with Bailu.

Category:Typhoons Category:2013 in the Philippines Category:2013 meteorology