.gif)
Typhoon Kent (1995)
Encyclopedia
Super Typhoon Kent was a powerful Category 4 equivalent typhoon that formed in late August during the 1995 Pacific typhoon season
.
The tweleveth tropical cyclone, fourth typhoon and first super typhoon of the 1995 season, Kent formed on August 24 in the Western Pacific Ocean and moved westward where it reached typhoon status on August 26 east of the Philippines
. Kent then rapidly strengthened into a super typhoon with winds reaching peak intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) as it brushed past the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan
before making landfall in eastern People's Republic of China
on August 31. After making landfall, Kent weakened and dissipated the following day.
A strong and destructive typhoon, Kent left 52 fatalities and $418.9 million (1995 USD, $555 million 2006 USD) in damage in the Philippines, Taiwan and China.
was detected by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
on August 24. 24 hours later while northwest of Palau
, the disturbance intensified to be classified as a tropical depression by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
on August 25. The Japan Meteorological Agency
(JMA) also upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression at 1340 UTC. and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) named the depression Gening from its list of pacific typhoon names. Moving northwest, the depression continue to organize and forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center began to issue a tropical cyclone formation alert
(TCFA) on the disturbance at 1130 UTC. On August 26, the tropical depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Kent by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Kent then quickly intensified into a typhoon on August 27 as it drifted slowly west-northwest. As the storm strengthened, a banding type eye
appeared as Kent reached maximum intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) on August 29 which is Supertyphoon status by JTWC classifications and equivent to a strong Category 4 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm also reached a low barometric pressure of 928 millibars. The JMA also assessed they typhoon attaining a 10-min peak of 100 mph (155 km/h) Continuing west-northwest, the eye of Typhoon Kent passed over the Philippine island of Basco
at 0100 UTC, radar imagery showed the storm undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle
as it brushed past. Kent also weakened below super typhoon status as it accelerated towards China
. Kent made landfall in China on August 31 50 miles (95 km) northeast of Hong Kong
. After landfall, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
issued its final warning on September 1 as Kent dissipated. The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued its final advisory on Kent.
. On August 31, the forecasters issued a gale warning (storm signal number eight) as the storm neared closer.
where a weather station reported a barometric pressure of 928 millibars and 1 minute sustained winds of 135 mph (217 km/h). Kent caused moderate damage in Basco amounting to $2 million dollars (1995 USD
, $2.6 million 2006 USD). In Itbayat, the typhoon caused $50,000 dollars (1995 USD, $65,500 2006 USD) in damage. In Luzon
the typhoon inflicted the most damage as heavy rainfall caused severe flash flooding that forced 65,000 people to evacuate. The heavy rainfall also caused mudslides that flowed down the sides of Mount Pinatubo
that buried small villages. The floodwaters and mudslides forced residents onto rooftops where they were rescued. Five people died in Luzon
and over 178,000 people were affected by the flooding brought by Typhoon Kent. The Philippine Government
provided relief efforts after the storm. In Taiwan, Kent caused one fatality and caused moderate flood damage.
and Lau Fau Shan
reported winds of 47-50 mph (75–80 km/h). The RO headquarters
reported a barometric pressure of 991.3 millibars (29.27 inches). The Royal Observatory also reported rainfall of 5.31 inches (135 mm) over a two day period. Another weather station reported a two day rainfall total up to 8.31 inches (212.5 mm), the highest rainfall total was near Kwai Chung
where a weather station recorded 8.6 inches (219 mm) of rain. The heavy rainfall brought by Kent caused severe flash flood
ing across southern China
. In Guangdong
, flood waters damaged or destroyed 40,000 homes, inundated 3,000 km² (1,200 sq mi) of farmland and left 30 people dead.. Damage there amounted to 3.2 billion 1995 RMB ($418.9 million 1995 USD
, $555.4 million 2006 USD
). The typhoon also killed 17 people in Hainan Island. In Hong Kong, the typhoon caused moderate tree damage and heavy rains caused numerous flood and landslides that blocked roads resulting in numerous road accidents that left five people injured.
1995 Pacific typhoon season
-Typhoon Faye:On July 19, Tropical Storm Faye became the first typhoon of the season, tied for the second latest date of the first typhoon with 1977, only behind Otto of 1998. It tracked northwestward and reached a peak of 120 mph winds 2 days later. Faye turned northward, and after...
.
The tweleveth tropical cyclone, fourth typhoon and first super typhoon of the 1995 season, Kent formed on August 24 in the Western Pacific Ocean and moved westward where it reached typhoon status on August 26 east of 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...
. Kent then rapidly strengthened into a super typhoon with winds reaching peak intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) as it brushed past the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
before making landfall in eastern People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
on August 31. After making landfall, Kent weakened and dissipated the following day.
A strong and destructive typhoon, Kent left 52 fatalities and $418.9 million (1995 USD, $555 million 2006 USD) in damage in the Philippines, Taiwan and China.
Meteorological history
A tropical waveTropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
was detected by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
on August 24. 24 hours later while northwest of Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
, the disturbance intensified to be classified as a tropical depression by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
on August 25. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
(JMA) also upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression at 1340 UTC. and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
(PAGASA) named the depression Gening from its list of pacific typhoon names. Moving northwest, the depression continue to organize and forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center began to issue a tropical cyclone formation alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
(TCFA) on the disturbance at 1130 UTC. On August 26, the tropical depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Kent by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Kent then quickly intensified into a typhoon on August 27 as it drifted slowly west-northwest. As the storm strengthened, a banding type eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
appeared as Kent reached maximum intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) on August 29 which is Supertyphoon status by JTWC classifications and equivent to a strong Category 4 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm also reached a low barometric pressure of 928 millibars. The JMA also assessed they typhoon attaining a 10-min peak of 100 mph (155 km/h) Continuing west-northwest, the eye of Typhoon Kent passed over the Philippine island of Basco
Basco, Batanes
Basco is a 5th class municipality in the Batanes Province, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Batanes...
at 0100 UTC, radar imagery showed the storm undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycles, also called concentric eyewall cycles, naturally occur in intense tropical cyclones, generally with winds greater than 185 km/h , or major hurricanes...
as it brushed past. Kent also weakened below super typhoon status as it accelerated towards China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Kent made landfall in China on August 31 50 miles (95 km) northeast of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. After landfall, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
issued its final warning on September 1 as Kent dissipated. The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued its final advisory on Kent.
Preparations
In Hong Kong, forecasters at the Royal Observatory issued a Stand by signal number one on August 30 and advised residents to take shelter as Kent neared mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. On August 31, the forecasters issued a gale warning (storm signal number eight) as the storm neared closer.
Philippines and Taiwan
The center of Typhoon Kent brushed past the Philippine island of BascoBasco, Batanes
Basco is a 5th class municipality in the Batanes Province, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Batanes...
where a weather station reported a barometric pressure of 928 millibars and 1 minute sustained winds of 135 mph (217 km/h). Kent caused moderate damage in Basco amounting to $2 million dollars (1995 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
, $2.6 million 2006 USD). In Itbayat, the typhoon caused $50,000 dollars (1995 USD, $65,500 2006 USD) in damage. In Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
the typhoon inflicted the most damage as heavy rainfall caused severe flash flooding that forced 65,000 people to evacuate. The heavy rainfall also caused mudslides that flowed down the sides of Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
that buried small villages. The floodwaters and mudslides forced residents onto rooftops where they were rescued. Five people died in Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
and over 178,000 people were affected by the flooding brought by Typhoon Kent. The Philippine Government
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...
provided relief efforts after the storm. In Taiwan, Kent caused one fatality and caused moderate flood damage.
People's Republic of China
In Hong Kong, the outer rainbands of Kent brought heavy rains and gale force winds as the storm approached. Two weather stations in Star FerryStar Ferry
The Star Ferry, or The "Star" Ferry Company, is a passenger ferry service operator in Hong Kong. Its principal routes carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon...
and Lau Fau Shan
Lau Fau Shan
Lau Fau Shan is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is at the shore of Deep Bay, near Tin Shui Wai and facing Shekou in Shenzhen, China. It is traditionally famous for fresh oysters. About 100 tons were harvested every year, some for consumption in Hong Kong restaurants and some for...
reported winds of 47-50 mph (75–80 km/h). The RO headquarters
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
reported a barometric pressure of 991.3 millibars (29.27 inches). The Royal Observatory also reported rainfall of 5.31 inches (135 mm) over a two day period. Another weather station reported a two day rainfall total up to 8.31 inches (212.5 mm), the highest rainfall total was near Kwai Chung
Kwai Chung
Kwai Chung is a town in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Together with Tsing Yi Island, it is part of the Kwai Tsing District of Hong Kong. Kwai Chung is the site of the container port. It is also part of Tsuen Wan New Town. In 2000, it had a population of 287,000...
where a weather station recorded 8.6 inches (219 mm) of rain. The heavy rainfall brought by Kent caused severe flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
ing across southern China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. In Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, flood waters damaged or destroyed 40,000 homes, inundated 3,000 km² (1,200 sq mi) of farmland and left 30 people dead.. Damage there amounted to 3.2 billion 1995 RMB ($418.9 million 1995 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
, $555.4 million 2006 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
). The typhoon also killed 17 people in Hainan Island. In Hong Kong, the typhoon caused moderate tree damage and heavy rains caused numerous flood and landslides that blocked roads resulting in numerous road accidents that left five people injured.
See also
- tropical cycloneTropical cycloneA tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
- list of notable tropical cyclones