Typhoon Soudelor facts for kids

Typhoon Soudelor (also known as Typhoon Hanna) was a very strong tropical cyclone that formed in the western Pacific Ocean. It started developing at the end of July 2015. This powerful storm affected several places, including the Northern Mariana Islands, and was expected to hit Taiwan and China. Soudelor was known as the strongest typhoon of 2015.

Understanding Typhoons: What Are They?

A typhoon is a type of powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It's like a giant spinning top of wind and rain. In different parts of the world, these storms are called different names. For example, in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific, they are called hurricanes. In the Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific, they are often called cyclones. Typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are all the same kind of weather event: a tropical cyclone.

How Typhoons Form and Grow

Typhoons need warm ocean water to form and grow stronger. When the water is warm enough, it creates moist, rising air. As this air rises, it cools and forms clouds and thunderstorms. The Earth's rotation makes these storms spin. If conditions are just right, the storm can keep getting bigger and stronger, with winds swirling faster and faster around a calm center called the "eye."

Typhoon Soudelor's Journey and Strength

Typhoon Soudelor began as a tropical depression, which is a weaker storm, on July 29, 2015. It quickly grew stronger as it moved across the warm Pacific waters. By August 2, it had become a super typhoon, which is the highest category for these storms. Its winds were incredibly fast, reaching speeds of about 285 kilometers per hour (180 miles per hour). This made it the most powerful typhoon of 2015.

Where Soudelor Traveled

Soudelor first passed over the Northern Mariana Islands, a group of islands in the Pacific. It caused damage there before continuing its path towards Taiwan. On August 8, the typhoon made landfall in Taiwan, bringing very strong winds and heavy rain. After crossing Taiwan, it moved into China, where it also caused significant impacts.

Impacts of Typhoon Soudelor

Typhoon Soudelor caused a lot of damage and disruption in the areas it hit.

Damage in the Northern Mariana Islands

When Soudelor passed over the Northern Mariana Islands, it caused widespread power outages. Many homes and buildings were damaged, and trees were knocked down. People had to seek shelter to stay safe from the strong winds.

Soudelor's Effects on Taiwan

In Taiwan, Soudelor brought extremely heavy rainfall, leading to floods and landslides. The strong winds knocked down many trees and power lines, leaving millions of homes without electricity. Roads were blocked, and transportation was disrupted. Sadly, the typhoon also caused some deaths and injuries in Taiwan. A famous pair of "slanted post boxes" in Taipei became a popular sight after the storm, showing the force of the winds.

Impacts in China

After leaving Taiwan, Soudelor moved into mainland China. It continued to bring heavy rain and strong winds, especially to the Fujian province. This led to more flooding and landslides, forcing many people to evacuate their homes to safer areas. The storm caused significant economic losses due to damage to buildings, farms, and infrastructure.

Images for kids

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  Satellite image of Soudelor taken from the International Space Station on August 5. The Soyuz TMA-17M (bottom left) and the Progress 60 (top left) cargo craft are visible

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  Typhoon Soudelor south of the Ryukyu Islands and approaching Taiwan, on August 7.

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  Tree damage in Taipei following Soudelor on August 8

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  Slanted Chunghwa Post post boxes in Taipei.

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  Highest Public Storm Warning Signals raised across northern Luzon in relation to Typhoon Soudelor

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  NEXRAD imagery of Typhoon Soudelor approaching Saipan on August 2, 2015

See also

In Spanish: Tifón Soudelor para niños