Typhoon Herb
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| Typhoon (JMA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 5 Typhoon (SSHS) | |||
 Super Typhoon Herb near peak intensity |
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| Formed | July 21, 1996 | ||
| Dissipated | August 3, 1996 | ||
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 925 hPa (mbar) | ||
| Fatalities | 590 direct | ||
| Damage | $5 billion (1996 USD) $7 billion (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Ryūkyū Islands, Taiwan, Mainland China | ||
| Part of the 1996 Pacific typhoon season |
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Super Typhoon Herb (T9609 in Japan, T9608/賀伯 in Taiwan) was the strongest and the largest storm of 1996. Herb struck Ryūkyū Islands, Taiwan and Mainland China and caused a major damage there. The Western Pacific name list was renewed in 1996 and the name Herb was used for the first time in 1996. This name wasn't retired in the Western Pacific after 1996. But the Western Pacific name list was replaced from English to Asian in 2000, so this name was used only once as a result. (This name was never used in the Atlantic Ocean nor the Eastern Pacific.)
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[edit] Storm history
The active monsoon trough that spawned Typhoons Frankie (08W) and Gloria (09W) consolidated into a third area well east of the other two to develop Tropical Depression 10W near Saipan on July 23. It moved northward at first, then westward in response to the subtropical ridge to its north. Tropical Depression 10W was upgraded to Tropical Storm Herb on July 24. Tropical Storm Herb moved west and strengthened to Typhoon Herb on July 25 and 48 hours later he reached category 4 (125 knot). Herb also grew his size. But an interaction with Typhoon Gloria (so-called "Fujiwhara effect") occurred and Herb was downgraded to 115 knot. After that, Herb began to intensify again, and became a category 5 super typhoon (140 knot) on July 30. Herb also became a very large typhoon: the largest typhoon in July and the 8th largest typhoon since 1977.
Herb struck Ryūkyū Islands and made a landfall in northern Taiwan as a Category 4 Super Typhoon (130 knots) on July 31. After a landfall in Taiwan, Herb weakened and made a landfall in Mainland China as a strong Category 2. Herb rapidly weakened over the country, and dissipated on August 3.
[edit] Impact
In Taiwan and Mainland China, heavy rain from Herb caused flooding and major damage. In Taiwan, at least 51 people were killed and 22 people missing. In Mainland China, at least 233 people were killed and 284 people missing.
