Typhoon Mangkhut facts for kids
| Typhoon (JMA scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS) | |
Typhoon Mangkhut at peak intensity on September 12
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| Formed | September 7, 2018 |
| Dissipated | September 17, 2018 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph) 1-minute sustained: 285 km/h (180 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 905 hPa (mbar); 26.72 inHg |
| Fatalities | 86 total |
| Damage | > $877 million (2018 USD) |
| Areas affected | Mariana Islands, Philippines, Taiwan, South China, Vietnam |
| Part of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Mangkhut, also known as Typhoon Ompong in the Philippines, was a very powerful storm in 2018. It was the strongest typhoon to hit Luzon in the Philippines since Typhoon Megi in 2010. It was also the strongest typhoon to make landfall anywhere in the Philippines since Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
Mangkhut was also the strongest typhoon to hit Hong Kong since Typhoon Ellen in 1983. It was the strongest tropical cyclone in the world in 2018. The typhoon caused a lot of damage and sadly, 86 people died. Most of these deaths were in the Philippines.
Contents
How Typhoon Mangkhut Formed and Grew
Typhoon Mangkhut started as a small weather disturbance on September 5, 2018. Over the next few days, it grew stronger. On September 7, it became a tropical depression, and then a tropical storm. This is when it received the name Mangkhut.
The storm quickly became much stronger between September 8 and 9. It formed clear rain bands and an eye in its center. The conditions in the ocean and atmosphere were perfect for it to grow. This included warm ocean waters and low wind shear, which means winds weren't blowing in different directions to tear the storm apart.
On September 9, Mangkhut officially became a typhoon. Its eye became very clear on satellite images as it moved towards the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
Mangkhut continued to get much stronger on September 11 as it moved across the Philippine Sea. It went through another period of rapid growth, and its eye became even more defined. By September 12, it was considered a Category 5-equivalent typhoon, which is the highest category for a hurricane or typhoon. It stayed this strong for almost four days!
The typhoon reached its strongest point with winds of 285 km/h (180 mph). On September 14, Mangkhut made landfall in Cagayan Province in the northern part of Luzon, Philippines. It was still a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon with very strong winds. This made it the strongest storm to hit Luzon in many years.
After crossing the mountains of Luzon, Mangkhut weakened a bit. It then moved over the South China Sea. On September 16, it made landfall again on the coast of Jiangmen City in Guangdong Province, China. Finally, on September 17, Mangkhut faded away over Guangxi, China.
Getting Ready for the Storm
People and governments in the areas Mangkhut was expected to hit made many preparations. They wanted to keep everyone safe.
Philippines Prepares
The Philippine weather agency, PAGASA, started issuing storm warnings as early as September 13. People in areas expected to be hit hard, like Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region, were told to leave their homes. Schools announced they would close starting September 12.
Medical and emergency teams were ready to help. The government also prepared a lot of relief goods, like food and water, worth about 1.7 billion Philippine pesos (around US$31 million).
Hong Kong Prepares
On September 14, the Hong Kong Government held a special meeting with different departments. They told citizens to "prepare for the worst" because of how strong Mangkhut was.
On September 16, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Hurricane Signal No. 10. This is the highest storm warning in Hong Kong. It was only the third time this warning had been issued since 1999, showing how serious the typhoon was.
Mainland China Prepares
On September 15, many cities in Guangdong Province in China issued red alerts for Typhoon Mangkhut. This is the highest level of warning. The Guangxi Meteorological Bureau also issued a red alert. The next day, Shenzhen issued a red alert for heavy rain.
Fujian Province issued an orange alert, which is the second highest warning. On September 16, China's National Meteorological Center issued a red alert for the whole country. Hainan Province also issued an orange alert. Over 2.45 million people in Guangdong were moved to safety.
How Mangkhut Affected Places
Guam
When Typhoon Mangkhut passed near Guam, about 80% of the island lost electricity.
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Philippines
On September 14, a tornado hit Marikina in eastern Metro Manila, injuring two people. More than 105,000 families had to leave their homes. Several airports in northern Luzon closed, and many flights were cancelled.
Sadly, at least 81 people died in the Philippines because of the typhoon. Seventy of these deaths happened when a small mine collapsed in Itogon, Benguet, where many landslides buried homes.
About 5.7 million people across the country were affected by the storm. Luzon, a large island, suffered huge losses, especially in farming. The total damage in the Philippines was estimated to be around 14.3 billion pesos (about US$265 million).
Taiwan
A 30-year-old teacher visiting Fenniaolin Beach in Yilan County was swept into the sea by a wave. Her body was found two days later.
Hong Kong
Mangkhut was the strongest typhoon to hit Hong Kong since 1983. It caused a lot of flooding, especially in low areas near the coast. Many trees were knocked down. Strong winds, up to 180 km/h (110 mph), made tall buildings sway and ripped off some roofs.
Windows in many buildings shattered, and parts of the Harbour Grand Kowloon hotel were blown out. A building under construction in Tai Kok Tsui partly collapsed onto another building, which had to be emptied by police. Many roads were blocked, and the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) train service stopped on all above-ground tracks.
Some buildings had broken windows and water damage. Serious flooding happened in seaside areas like Heng Fa Chuen and Tai O. Over 1,200 people went to emergency shelters. The Hong Kong International Airport cancelled or delayed 889 international flights. More than 200 people were injured, but thankfully, no one died in Hong Kong. Schools were closed for two days because of the damage.
After the storm, huge crowds filled MTR stations because most of the city's 600 bus routes were not running due to blocked roads.
Macau
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Storm surges in Macau reached a height of 1.9 meters (6.2 feet). About 21,000 homes lost power, and 7,000 homes lost internet. Forty people were injured. For the first time ever, all casinos in Macau were closed. Many flights to and from Macau International Airport were cancelled.
Mainland China
Guangdong Province
Typhoon Mangkhut caused over 2.45 million people to be moved to safety in Guangdong. In Shenzhen, the storm caused power outages in 13 places, flooded a seafood street, and knocked down 248 trees. Transportation was shut down in southern China. Sadly, at least four people died in Guangdong because of the typhoon. In Zhuhai, markets, schools, and public transport were closed or limited on September 17. People were asked to avoid unnecessary travel. Ferry services from Zhuhai to Shenzhen and Hong Kong were stopped.
The total economic losses in Guangdong Province were more than ¥4.2 billion (about US$612 million).
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Schools in Beihai, Qinzhou, Fangchenggang, and Nanning were closed on September 17. Trains going to Guangxi were also stopped on that day.
Images for kids
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Typhoon Mangkhut at peak intensity on September 12
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Typhoon Mangkhut approaching the Philippines on September 14
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A map showing the highest storm warnings in the Philippines for Typhoon Mangkhut
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Sailors clearing debris on Naval Base Guam after Typhoon Mangkhut
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Shattered windows at the Grand Harbour Kowloon Hotel in Hong Kong
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The ceiling of the Oriental Pearl Terminal Station waiting area was blown away by strong winds
See also
In Spanish: Tifón Mangkhut para niños
