Typhoon Ike
Encyclopedia
Typhoon Ike was the deadliest typhoon of the 1984 Pacific typhoon season
and crossed the Philippines
in September. This tropical cyclone formed on August 27 in the Philippine Sea, and strengthened as it moved westward into the southern Philippines, becoming a typhoon on August 31. Typhoon Ike caused extreme wind and flooding damage when it crossed the Philippines, resulting in 1492 fatalities, one of the Philippines' worst natural disaster in modern times, and its worst typhoon since Amy struck the archipelago in 1951. A total of 200,000 to 480,000 were left homeless. Emerging from the Philippines as a strong tropical storm, Ike restrengthened as it tracked northwest through the South China Sea
across northeast Hainan Island. Weakening back into a tropical storm, Ike moved inland into mainland China. In Hong Kong, winds gusted to 49 knots (96 km/h) at Tate's Cairn. Extensive crop damage was experienced in southern China, with Ike becoming the most significant tropical cyclone to strike Guangxi since 1954. Total damage was reportedly US$111 million (1984 dollars). The name Ike was retired after this season.Typhoon Ike was recorded with a 220 km/h gust and an estimated 185 km/h msw in Surigao on September 2 and is one of the intense tropical cyclones and devastating and deadliest to hit the RP.
. An anticyclone aloft caused shear, preventing the disturbance or a tropical depression to its north from developing much. The shear died down on the 25th, leading to a rapid increase in the convection of the system over the low level center. The increased organization continued, and it was classified as Tropical Depression 13W on August 26 south of Guam.
The depression, with generally favorable conditions, became Tropical Storm Ike on the morning of August 26. Due to its motion, the Condition of Readiness III, the equivalent of a hurricane warning, was put on Guam, the highest since Typhoon Pamela in 1976. Ike passed 60 nautical miles (111.1 km) south of Guam on the 27th, but because it was a compact cyclone, the island experienced only minor wind and little damage. Ike continued to strengthen, and reached typhoon strength on August 29.
The building of the ridge to Ike's north forced it west-southwestward, where increased shear weakened the typhoon back to a tropical storm. The shear was only temporary, and the storm again attained typhoon status on August 30. Upper level outflow became more pronounced as it neared the Philippines, and on September 1, Ike rapidly intensified to a peak of 145 mi/h typhoon. The typhoon struck the island of Siargao
in eastern Philippines
on the 1st at that intensity, and crossed the archipelago
.
While crossing the islands, Ike weakened to a 70 mi/h tropical storm, but over the South China Sea
, conditions favored strengthening. The storm turned to the northwest, where it quickly intensified, becoming a typhoon on September 3 and again reaching Category 4 strength on the 4th. Land interaction cut off its inflow, weakening Ike to a 90 mi/h typhoon just before hitting eastern Hainan Island on the 5th. It continued to the northwest, steadily weakening over China
until dissipation on September 6.
, at least 27 towns were completely destroyed by the typhoon, leaving at least 304 dead. Some towns were washed away after Lake Mainit
overflowed its banks, killing hundreds of people caught in the floodwaters. Nearly 100,000 people were left homeless in Cebu
and only one of the islands 21 radio stations was able to broadcast several days after the storm. About 70 percent of Surigao City
was destroyed by Ike.
In all, roughly 1.6 million people were affected in the country and 1,856 were injured. A total of 108,219 homes were destroyed and 142,653 others were damaged. However, President
Ferdinand Marcos
declared a state of calamity after Nitang's onslaught. Six years later, Supertyphoon Ruping
wreaked havoc in the Visayas
in November 1990.
Total damages in the Philippines and China amounted to $1 billion (1984 USD).
, the wife of president Ferdinand Marcos
, flew to Surigao to personally hand out relief supplies. The president set aside $4 million for relief work but refused any international aid. Starting on September 11, a massive relief item airlift was planned to assist the region. Striking the Philippines not long after Tropical Storm June, 19 provinces had already been placed under a state of emergency. Following Ike, three other provinces were placed under a state of emergency. Due to the destruction in the Philippines, the name Ike was retired and was replaced by Ian. Its Pagasa name, Nitang, was also retired, and was replaced by Ningning.
1984 Pacific typhoon season
The 1984 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean...
and crossed the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in September. This tropical cyclone formed on August 27 in the Philippine Sea, and strengthened as it moved westward into the southern Philippines, becoming a typhoon on August 31. Typhoon Ike caused extreme wind and flooding damage when it crossed the Philippines, resulting in 1492 fatalities, one of the Philippines' worst natural disaster in modern times, and its worst typhoon since Amy struck the archipelago in 1951. A total of 200,000 to 480,000 were left homeless. Emerging from the Philippines as a strong tropical storm, Ike restrengthened as it tracked northwest through the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
across northeast Hainan Island. Weakening back into a tropical storm, Ike moved inland into mainland China. In Hong Kong, winds gusted to 49 knots (96 km/h) at Tate's Cairn. Extensive crop damage was experienced in southern China, with Ike becoming the most significant tropical cyclone to strike Guangxi since 1954. Total damage was reportedly US$111 million (1984 dollars). The name Ike was retired after this season.Typhoon Ike was recorded with a 220 km/h gust and an estimated 185 km/h msw in Surigao on September 2 and is one of the intense tropical cyclones and devastating and deadliest to hit the RP.
Meteorological history
The eastern periphery of the monsoon trough developed a tropical disturbance on August 21 southeast of GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. An anticyclone aloft caused shear, preventing the disturbance or a tropical depression to its north from developing much. The shear died down on the 25th, leading to a rapid increase in the convection of the system over the low level center. The increased organization continued, and it was classified as Tropical Depression 13W on August 26 south of Guam.
The depression, with generally favorable conditions, became Tropical Storm Ike on the morning of August 26. Due to its motion, the Condition of Readiness III, the equivalent of a hurricane warning, was put on Guam, the highest since Typhoon Pamela in 1976. Ike passed 60 nautical miles (111.1 km) south of Guam on the 27th, but because it was a compact cyclone, the island experienced only minor wind and little damage. Ike continued to strengthen, and reached typhoon strength on August 29.
The building of the ridge to Ike's north forced it west-southwestward, where increased shear weakened the typhoon back to a tropical storm. The shear was only temporary, and the storm again attained typhoon status on August 30. Upper level outflow became more pronounced as it neared the Philippines, and on September 1, Ike rapidly intensified to a peak of 145 mi/h typhoon. The typhoon struck the island of Siargao
Siargao Island
is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometers. The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet, Port Pilar. The coastline is marked by a...
in eastern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
on the 1st at that intensity, and crossed the archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
.
While crossing the islands, Ike weakened to a 70 mi/h tropical storm, but over the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
, conditions favored strengthening. The storm turned to the northwest, where it quickly intensified, becoming a typhoon on September 3 and again reaching Category 4 strength on the 4th. Land interaction cut off its inflow, weakening Ike to a 90 mi/h typhoon just before hitting eastern Hainan Island on the 5th. It continued to the northwest, steadily weakening over China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
until dissipation on September 6.
Preparations
When Ike began to turn towards the northwest on September 3, typhoon warnings were issued for areas between Hong Kong and Beihai. Hundreds of cargo ships left port to escape the typhoon. In Zhanjiang, sandbagging operations took place throughout the day in an effort to construct a barrier against Ike's storm surge. Hundreds of thousands of residents evacuated from coastal areas.Guam
Although the center of Ike passed about 385 km (240 mi) south of Guam, it produced gale-force winds and torrential rains throughout the island.Philippines
Ike was one of the deadliest typhoons in Philippine history. Its heavy rainfall and winds killed 1,492 people. Between 200,000 and 480,000 people were left homeless in the wake of the storm. In Surigao del NorteSurigao del Norte
Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...
, at least 27 towns were completely destroyed by the typhoon, leaving at least 304 dead. Some towns were washed away after Lake Mainit
Lake Mainit
Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines, having a surface area of 173.40 square kilometers. The lake is also the deepest lake in the country with maximum depth reaching 223 meters...
overflowed its banks, killing hundreds of people caught in the floodwaters. Nearly 100,000 people were left homeless in Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
and only one of the islands 21 radio stations was able to broadcast several days after the storm. About 70 percent of Surigao City
Surigao City
The City of Surigao The City of Surigao The City of Surigao (Filipino Pronunciation: (sů-rēh-GAŮ) ( Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao) located at the northeasternmost tip of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte,...
was destroyed by Ike.
In all, roughly 1.6 million people were affected in the country and 1,856 were injured. A total of 108,219 homes were destroyed and 142,653 others were damaged. However, President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
declared a state of calamity after Nitang's onslaught. Six years later, Supertyphoon Ruping
Typhoon Mike
Super Typhoon Mike was the strongest and deadliest typhoon of the 1990 Pacific typhoon season as it crossed the Philippines in November....
wreaked havoc in the Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
in November 1990.
China
Upon striking southern China, Ike was a large typhoon with gale-force winds extending out 315 km (195 mi) from the center. The storm brought 76–127 mm (3–4 in) to most of the affected areas, with locally higher amounts. Thirteen fishermen were overcome by the 7.6–9.1 m (25–30 ft) swells off the coast of Weizhou Island. Numerous trees and power lines were downed by the storms' high winds and an estimated 13,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. An additional 46 people were killed by the remnants of Ike in central China. An estimated 29651 acres (120 km²) of sugar cane were destroyed and about 2.9 million pounds of vegetables were lost.Total damages in the Philippines and China amounted to $1 billion (1984 USD).
Aftermath
Immediately following Ike, the Government of the Philippines dispatched a C-130 aircraft carrying relief supplies to the affected areas. The large loss of life resulted in morgues running out of coffins, leading to bodies being immediately buried to prevent the spread of disease. Imelda MarcosImelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
, the wife of president Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
, flew to Surigao to personally hand out relief supplies. The president set aside $4 million for relief work but refused any international aid. Starting on September 11, a massive relief item airlift was planned to assist the region. Striking the Philippines not long after Tropical Storm June, 19 provinces had already been placed under a state of emergency. Following Ike, three other provinces were placed under a state of emergency. Due to the destruction in the Philippines, the name Ike was retired and was replaced by Ian. Its Pagasa name, Nitang, was also retired, and was replaced by Ningning.
See also
- 1984 Pacific typhoon season1984 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 1984 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean...
- List of tropical cyclones