Typhoon Chataan
![]() Typhoon Chataan at peak intensity on July 8 | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 27, 2002 |
Extratropical | July 11, 2002 |
Dissipated | July 13, 2002 |
Very strong typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 175 km/h (110 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent super typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 910 hPa (mbar); 26.87 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 54 direct |
Missing | 1 |
Damage | $660 million (2002 USD) |
Areas affected | Chuuk, Guam, Japan |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Chataan, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Gloria, was the deadliest natural disaster in the history of Chuuk, a state in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The typhoon formed on June 28, 2002, near the FSM, and for several days it meandered while producing heavy rainfall across the region. On Chuuk, the highest 24-hour precipitation total was 506 mm (19.9 in), which was greater than the average monthly total. The rain produced floods up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep, causing landslides across the island that killed 47 people. There was also one death on nearby Pohnpei, and damage in the FSM totaled over $100 million.[nb 1]
After affecting the FSM, Chataan began a northwest track as an intensifying typhoon. Its
The name Chataan means "rainy day" in the
Meteorological history

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

On June 27, 2002, the
Only July 1, the system's circulation became broad, with most of the

After affecting Guam, Chataan continued toward the northwest and gradually intensified. At 0000 UTC on July 8, the typhoon reached its peak intensity of 175 km/h (109 mph) 10-minute sustained) while located near the Japanese island of
Preparations and impact
Federated States of Micronesia
While Chataan was in its formative stages and still tied to the monsoon trough, it produced a large area of heavy rainfall and strong winds that affected Pohnpei and Chuuk in the FSM. The storm passed very near Chuuk with wind gusts of 82 km/h (51 mph). In the day before Chataan affected the island, it dropped torrential rainfall due to its elongated structure and slow movement. Persistent winds from the larger monsoon trough generated high surf and tides of 0.3 m (0.98 ft) above normal across the region. The most significant effects were from the rainfall, peaking at 954 mm (37.6 in) at the Chuuk Weather Service Office over 13 days. The highest 24-hour total was 506 mm (19.9 in) on Weno Island, of which 361 mm (14.2 in) fell in 12 hours;[3] this was greater than the average monthly rainfall total for the station.[8]
High winds downed power lines on Chuuk,[9] while surf destroyed seawalls and buildings along the coast.[10] The rains causes severe flooding across the island that reached 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in some locations,[11] triggering at least 30 mudslides that killed 47 people. This represented the deadliest natural disaster in the island's recorded history.[3] The landslides reached a depth of 4.6 m (15 ft), which destroyed several homes made of tin and concrete. Many people were buried by the landslides or washed into the ocean.[9] Saltwater flooding contaminated the groundwater and destroyed much of the island's crops.[9][10] Chataan damaged roads and bridges, and high winds downed power lines,[11] which cut communications between islands.[12] Across Chuuk, the storm destroyed about 1,000 homes and left about 1,000 people homeless.[9] About 100 people were injured.[10]
In nearby Pohnpei state, Chataan produced 72 km/h (45 mph) winds in Nukuoro.[3] The winds destroyed a house and a weather station.[9] Rainfall on the atoll reached 457 mm (18.0 in). High winds, surf, and rain also affected Sapwuafik.[3] Rough seas killed a person on Pohnpei. Crop damage in the country totaled $3 million, and overall property damage was estimated at $100 million, mostly on Chuuk.[9]
Guam

Before Chataan affected Guam, officials canceled
High winds caused damage across Guam, mostly to roofs and to poorly built or wooden structures.
Elsewhere
North of Guam, Chataan affected
Energy from the typhoon enhanced monsoonal moisture over the Philippines,[15] in conjunction with Tropical Storm Nakri. The two storms contributed to heavy rainfall that triggered floods and landslides,[16] which closed roads and highways.[17] High waves killed three people after a boat overturned.[18] The storm destroyed 566 houses and damaged another 2,363. A total of 31,813 people evacuated to 184 government-opened shelters.[19] Officials canceled classes during the system; several schools were used as temporary shelters.[20] Damage totaled over $1.5 million (₱64 million pesos),[16] and the floods killed 58 people.[21]
The last location Chataan affected was Japan. The typhoon forced the cancellation of 316 flights
Aftermath

After Chataan affected Chuuk state, the island's residents were in need of food, clothes and medicine. Only a few crops were not destroyed by the storm; much of the breadfruit was stripped from the trees, and fruit not destroyed by the storm were damaged by parasites.[9] In the days after the storm, the local Red Cross deployed about 100 volunteers to search for victims buried by landslides.[8] However, rescue operations were hampered by persistent flooding after the storm.[12] Initially the death toll was unknown, and it was feared that hundreds of people had been killed.[8] Six people who were seriously injured on Chuuk were flown to The Queen's Medical Center in Hawaii for treatment; they were initially scheduled to fly to Guam Memorial Hospital, but the facility was full.[32] About 2,000 residents affected by the storm evacuated to government-run shelters.[11] The Red Cross shipped various relief supplies, including raincoats and water, to the affected areas.[8] By July 4, power systems were restored and the airport reopened. Although there was enough food in the immediate aftermath, the destruction of crops and cattle posed a long-term food shortage.[12]
On July 3 while Chataan was passing the region, the governor of Chuuk declared a state of emergency,[10] requesting international assistance.[12] On July 9, the government of Japan sent $87,000 (¥10 million) worth of supplies to Micronesia, including 1,000 blankets and 10 electric generators.[33][34] Two days later, United States President George W. Bush declared the island as a disaster area.[35] This was six days after FSM President Leo Falcam sent the disaster declaration to the US president, although Falcam had improperly filed the paperwork. Because the FSM is in a Compact of Free Association and not a U.S. state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could not provide immediate assistance. During the delay, a group of doctors from Guam flew to Chuuk to provide medical assistance.[36] On July 11, the government of Israel sent $5,000 worth of medicine to the FSM.[37] The next day, Caritas Australia sent $20,000 worth of water and food.[38] Residents from elsewhere in the FSM sent clothes and food. The Australian government sent $10,000 to replenish emergency supplies, and the International Red Cross released about $20,000 for immediate relief.[33] The government of China sent $30,000 worth of aid.[39] On July 30, FEMA announced that residents and business owners in Chuuk could apply for individual assistance, including money for housing, repairing damage, and low-interest loans.[40] The declaration would not apply to outer islands in Chuuk, which did not sustain significant damage; this is because FEMA only had funds to restore areas to how they were before the storm.[41] Ultimately, FEMA provided 93,000 L (25,000 US gal) of water, 1,300 blankets, 45,360 km (100,000 lbs) of rice, 11,328 meals ready to eat, and various other supplies.[42] In total, the agency allocated $10.6 million, mostly in the form of individual assistance that provided money for purchasing lost supplies.[43] FEMA ultimately sent just under $5 million to Chuuk after Chataan, as well as subsequent typhoons Pongsona and Lupit; however, about $445,000 of the funding was believed to have been misspent due to discrepancies discovered in an audit in 2006.[44]
In the days after the storm, thousands of people on Guam evacuated to the 15 government shelters set up in schools across the island; the total reached 3,947 people on July 10.[9] The governor of Guam declared a state of emergency after the storm,[5] and on July 6 President Bush declared the island a major disaster area; this allocated federal funding to assist in removing debris and other emergency services.[45] A week later, the declaration was extended to include individual assistance for anyone who experienced damage from the storm.[46] The Fena Lake reservoir experienced excess silt deposit after excessive rainfall from Chataan, which prevented water distribution from the facility; on July 19 – fifteen days after the typhoon's landfall – water production resumed.[9] Before the facility reopened, the Guam Waterworks Authority distributed water to the island at differing times of the day to ration the limited supply.[47] However, by a month after the storm, residents were still required to boil water as a precaution.[48] About five days after Chataan struck Guam, Typhoon Halong affected the island and caused further power outages.[49] Some areas on the island remained without power for over a week, due to electric workers restoring the main transmission lines before fixing individual lines.[47] By July 19, 23% of those who lost power still were without electricity, mostly in outlying areas. By that date, trash collection was restored, and government-opened shelters were closed.[50] Later in July, flooding washed debris from Chataan and clogged two rivers.[9] The oil spill in Apra Harbor was cleaned at three of seven affected locations by August 19.[48] In the months after the storm, tourism decreased further after a decline that began after the September 11 attacks.[51] Ultimately, FEMA provided $73 million in assistance to the territory, including $10 million in housing checks to 5,947 people and $6.5 million worth of food stamps for 79,814 people. The agency provided $10 million for debris removal and rebuilding public buildings.[52] In December 2002, Typhoon Pongsona struck Guam and caused additional flooding and damage.[14] On August 7, President George W. Bush also declared Rota to be a disaster area, which provided funding for debris removal.[53]
Retirement
Because of the storm's death toll and damage, the name Chataan became retired and was replaced with Matmo in 2004. Countries in the World Meteorological Organization can request tropical cyclone names to be retired if a storm caused unusually heavy damage.[54]
While the name Gloria was not retired following this storm, it was changed to Glenda in 2005 as PAGASA sought to be apolitical after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won a disputed presidential election in 2004.[55]
See also
- Other tropical cyclones named Gloria
- List of tropical cyclones near the Equator
- Typhoon Neoguri (2014)
- Typhoon Halong (2002)
Notes
- ^ All damage totals are in 2002 United States dollars unless otherwise noted.
- ^ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[4]
- Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.[6]
- ^ The total was originally reported in Yen. Total converted via the Oanda Corporation website.[30]
References
- ^ a b Ruben Alabastro (2002-07-04). "Typhoon threatens China, another heads for Guam". ReliefWeb. Reuters. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- ^ "Typhoon death toll rises to 27 in Philippines". ReliefWeb. Xinhua. 2002-07-09. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Charles Guard; Mark A. Lander; Bill Ward (2007). A Preliminary Assessment of the Landfall of Typhoon Chataan on Chuuk, Guam, and Rota (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2012-06-20. Alt URL
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2011). "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". United States Navy, United States Airforce. Archived from the original on 2007-07-26. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center. Super Typhoon (STY) 08W (Chataan) (PDF) (2002 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report). United States Navy, United States Airforce. p. 73. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center. Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2002 (PDF) (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
- ^ "Typhoon toll in Japan rises to 5 dead, 3 missing". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (2002-07-04). Hundreds feared dead in Micronesia mudslides (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Angel, William; Hinson, Stuart; Mooring, Rhonda (November 2002). Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena with Late Reports and Corrections (PDF). Storm Data (Report). Vol. 44. National Climatic Data Center. pp. 142, 145–149. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-05-20.
- ^ a b c d FSM Information Service (2002-07-03). Tropical Storm Chataan wreaks havoc in FSM (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- ^ a b c International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (2002-07-04). Federated States of Micronesia: Typhoon Chataan Information Bulletin No.01/2002 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
- ^ a b c d UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2002-07-04). Micronesia – Tropical Storm Chata'an OCHA Situation Report No. 1 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ a b c d Richard A. Fontaine (2004-01-21). Flooding Associated with Typhoon Chata'an, July 5, 2002, Guam (PDF) (Report). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ^ a b Stephanie Hanna (2002-12-19). Supertyphoon Pongsona Damages Guam's Water Supplies (Report). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
- ^ a b c "Japan clears up after storm". BBC News. 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
- ^ a b "Typhoon Chata'an toll rises to 30 in the Philippines". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2002-07-10. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Chata'an: Death toll rises to 15 in heavy rains in Philippines". ReliefWeb. Deutsche Presse Agentur. 2002-07-08. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Downpour in Philippines causes 18 deaths, 30 injuries". Japanese Economic Newswire. 2002-07-08. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Government of the Philippines (2002-07-11). Philippines: DSWD Disaster Updates – Floods due to monsoon rains 11 Jul 2002 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Typhoon Chata'an leaves 21 dead or missing in the Philippines". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2002-07-08. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Death toll from 3 typhoons to hit Philippines climbs to 58". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-14. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Typhoon Chataan hits central Japan, 1 dead, 2 missing". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Patrick J. Killen (2002-07-10). "Huge Storm Hits Japan". United Press International. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Ito slam powers Seibu to win in PL before all-star break". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-10. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Typhoon Chataan forces Toyota to halt output at most plants". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-10. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c Typhoon 200206 (Chataan) – Disaster Information (Report) (in Japanese). Digital Typhoon. Retrieved 2012-06-25.
- ^ "Typhoon kills at least 4 in Japan". Xinhua. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Typhoon leaves 5 dead, 3 missing, floods 6,000 homes". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Miwa Suzuki (2002-07-11). "Typhoon Chata'an leaves eight dead or missing in Japan". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Historical Exchange Rates". Oanda Corporation. 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-06-25.
- ^ "Yahoo! Japan saw record 359 million hits on Wed". Kyodo News Service. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Steven Limtiaco (2002-07-19). "Guam Memorial Hospital too full, Chuuk Chata'an victims to be sent to Hawai'i". ReliefWeb. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ a b International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (2002-07-12). Federated States of Micronesia: Typhoon Chataan Information Bulletin No. 02/2002 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ Government of Japan (2002-07-09). Emergency aid for typhoon disaster in Micronesia (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (2002-06-11). Federal disaster aid ordered for Micronesia tropical storm recovery (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ David V. Crisostomo; Steve Limtiaco (2002-07-12). "Micronesia: Chuuk waits for U.S. assistance". ReliefWeb. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ Government of Israel (2002-07-11). Israel's assistance to Micronesia (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ Caritas (2002-07-12). Caritas Australia responds to Chuuk after hit by Typhoon Chataan and landslides (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ "Micronesia: China donates $30,000 to Chuuk". The Kaselehlie Press. ReliefWeb. 2002-08-07. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (2002-08-01). Micronesia: FEMA avails individual and public assistance for Chuuk's recovery (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ Scott Radway (2002-08-02). "Micronesia: No FEMA aid to Chuuk outer islands". ReliefWeb. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (2002-08-04). Micronesia: Chuuk humanitarian efforts continue (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ Chuuk Recovery Efforts Continue; $10.6 Million In Disaster Assistance Approved (Report). Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2002-10-23. Archived from the original on 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ Bill Jaynes (2006-08-16). "Chuuk FEMA Audit". The Kaselehlie Press. FSM Telecommunications Corporation. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ Federal Emergency Management Agency (2002-07-06). President declares major disaster for Guam (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ Individual Assistance Approved For Guam (Report). Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2002-07-13. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ a b Jojo Santo Tomas (2002-07-12). "Tropical Storm Chata'an: Residents feel powerless regarding electricity restoration on Guam". ReliefWeb. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ a b "Typhoon-caused water and oil spill woes continue to plague Guam". Associated Press. 2002-08-19. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Guam without power after second typhoon in week". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2002-07-11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Mark-Alexander Pieper (2002-07-19). "Typhoon Chata'an Guam public damage hits $59.9 million". ReliefWeb. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ^ "Across the Pacific, growing concern over West Coast labor talks". Associated Press. 2002-09-03. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Typhoon Recovery Continues; $73.6 Million Approved (Report). Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2002-10-25. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ "Federal disaster funds authorized for Northern Marianas". Associated Press. 2002-08-07. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Typhoon Committee Operational Manual 2012 Edition (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. pp. 31–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ^ Blanche Rivera (2006-07-26). "'Glenda' originally 'Gloria'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2012-06-25.
External links
- RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center
- Best Track Data of Typhoon Chataan (0206) (in Japanese)
- Best Track Data (Graphics) of Typhoon Chataan (0206)
- Best Track Data (Text)
- JTWC Best Track Data Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine of Super Typhoon 08W (Chataan)