Typhoon Elsie (1989)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 13, 1989 |
Dissipated | October 22, 1989 |
Very strong typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 915 hPa (mbar); 27.02 inHg |
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 898 hPa (mbar); 26.52 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 47 direct |
Injuries | 363 |
Damage | $35.4 million |
Areas affected | Philippines, China, Vietnam |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1989 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Elsie, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Tasing, was one of the most intense known
In the Philippines, Elsie worsened the situation already left in the wakes of typhoons Angela and Dan. Although it was stronger than the previous two, Elsie caused far less damage due to the relatively sparse population in the area of landfall. During the storm's passage, 47 people were killed and another 363 were injured. Damages throughout the country amounted to $35.4 million and roughly 332,000 people were left homeless.
Meteorological history
Super Typhoon Elsie, the third typhoon to impact the Philippines within a 12-day span during 1989, originated from a tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) over the western Pacific Ocean in mid-October. By October 13, a tropical disturbance developed out of the system roughly 1,240 kilometres (770 mi) east-northeast of Manila, Philippines.[1] At this time, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began to monitor the system as a tropical depression.[2] Located between two other TUTT cells, the disturbance's outflow was enhanced, allowing it to intensify. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert late on October 13. Early the following day, the disturbance was designated as Tropical Depression 30W as it began to stall in an area of weak steering currents between two subtropical highs.[1]
Shortly after being declared a depression, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical storm, giving it the name Elsie.
On October 18, another period of intensification took place as the storm neared the northern Philippines. Early in the day, Elsie was upgraded to a super typhoon, a storm with winds of at least 240 km/h (150 mph). Hours before making landfall in
Rapid weakening took place as the storm moved over the mountainous terrain of northern Luzon. Roughly nine hours after crossing the coastline, Elsie was downgraded to a tropical storm. The weakened storm continued its westward track as it entered the South China Sea along a monsoonal surge. This surge also helped to keep Elsie as a tropical storm due to increased wind shear over the northern portion of the cyclone.[1] The JMA, unlike the JTWC, did not downgrade Elsie to a tropical storm until October 21.[2] Failing to re-intensify, Elsie eventually made landfall in central Vietnam on October 22 and degenerated into a remnant-low-pressure system early the following day. The remnants of Elsie were monitored by the JTWC on satellite imagery for a short time until the former typhoon dissipated over Laos.[1]
Impact and aftermath
During the storm, roughly 50,500 people sought refuge in shelters set up across the country.
Although Elsie brushed Hainan Island in China and made landfall in northern Vietnam, little damage was reported in these regions.[1] In addition to damages caused by Brian, Angela and Dan, roughly ¥1.9 billion ($278.3 million) was left in damages.[8]
Following the storm, the
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "1989 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report for the Western Pacific" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1990. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "JMA Best Tracks 1980-1989". Japan Meteorological Agency. 1991. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (October 22, 1989). "Typhoon Elsie heads for Hainan". New Straits Times Malaysia. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ a b c d World Food Council (November 3, 1989). "October 1989 Philippine Typhoons Reports 1-6". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Destructive Typhoons 1970-2003". National Disaster Coordinating Council. November 9, 2004. Archived from the original on November 9, 2004. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Typhoon death toll climbs to 30". The Free-Lance-Star. Associated Press. October 23, 1989. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ "Typhoon Elsie batters Philippines". The Spokesman-Review. October 19, 1989. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ "Annual Summary for 1989" (PDF). Hong Kong Observatory. 1990. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
External links