Typhoon Maemi
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| Typhoon (JMA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS) | |||
 Super Typhoon Maemi at peak intensity. (NASA) |
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| Formed | September 5, 2003 | ||
| Dissipated | September 15, 2003 | ||
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 910 mbar (hPa) | ||
| Damage | $4.1 billion (2003 USD) $4.3 billion (2005 USD) |
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| Fatalities | 115 | ||
| Areas affected |
Miyakojima, Okinawa, South Korea, North Korea | ||
| Part of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season |
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Typhoon Maemi (international designation: 0314, JTWC designation: 15W, also known to PAGASA forecasters as Typhoon Pogi and sometimes called Super Typhoon Maemi) was a powerful category 5 supertyphoon that struck South Korea, killing 115 people. The name Maemi is contributed by North Korea and it means cicada. Maemi was one of the two strongest typhoons of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season (the other being Typhoon Lupit), with a barometric pressure reading of 885 millibars according to the U.S. Navy.
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[edit] Storm history
A tropical depression formed on September 5 near Guam. The developing disturbance moved west-northwest where it reached tropical storm status, and it was named Maemi. On September 7, Maemi became a typhoon about 650 miles southeast of Okinawa, Japan. The storm then rapidly intensified as it underwent recurvature.[1] By September 9, it was a strong category 4 typhoon with 130 kt (145 mph) winds. After reaching a category 5 peak of 150 kt (175 mph) winds, Maemi bypassed Miyakojima, with the center of the storm coming within ten miles of the island. After brushing Miyakojima, Maemi approached Okinawa.[2] On September 11, the eye of the storm was 130 miles away from land as the storm brushed the island.[3]
Maemi then weakened into a moderate category 4 storm as it moved north-northwest towards the Korean Peninsula. On September 12, Maemi made landfall on the South Korean coast as a category 2 typhoon. Later, the storm became extratropical and by the 15th, the remnants were tracked over the Kamchatka Peninsula.[4]
[edit] Impact
Maemi killed 115 people and left $4.1 billion in damage, making it the worst typhoon ever to hit the Korean Peninsula.
[edit] Miyakojima
Maemi injured 700 people when the storm passed near the island. About 22,000 people were left without electricity and there was one indirect death. The storm also damaged an airport control tower, which disrupted air traffic.[5]
[edit] South Korea
According to press reports, about 85 people died (with 25 others reported missing) in the storm and 250,000 people were forced to evacuate.[6] Most of the deaths were in the Gyeongsang province, where 41 deaths were reported.[7]
Maemi made landfall during a high tide, causing extreme storm surge damage along coastal sections. About 282 ships were either sunk or were badly damaged.[8] Inland, over 12,000 acres (49 km²) of farmland were flooded, ruining South Korea's rice harvest. The floods also swept several cars off the road and caused numerous landslides.[9] One of the landslides derailed a passenger train, injuring 28 people.
Lastly, the storm caused nuclear power plants and factories to shut down and left 1.4 million people without power.[10]
[edit] Economic Impact
The economic impact from Typhoon Maemi was severe as the storm damaged ports and harbors and disrupted trade to and from South Korea.[11] The total industrial losses amounted up to $577 million (2003 USD). There was also $43 million (2003 USD) in agricultural damage.
[edit] Records
Maemi set numerous records throughout its life. A weather station in Okinawa recorded a gust of 144 kt (163 mph), which is the fourth highest wind gust measured in Japan. Maemi was also Japan's fourth strongest typhoon, as a 912 mbar pressure was recorded offshore.[12]
