| Typhoon (JMA) | |
|---|---|
| Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS) | |
| Super Typhoon Joan at peak intensity | |
| Formed | October 11, 1997 |
| Dissipated | October 25, 1997 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph) 1-minute sustained: 295 km/h (185 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 905 mbar (hPa; 26.72 inHg) |
| Damage | Over $200,000 (1997 USD) |
| Areas affected | Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam |
| Part of the 1997 Pacific typhoon season | |
Super Typhoon Joan (International designation: 199724, [1] JTWC designation: 28W) was a significant typhoon that formed and dissipated in the worldwide record-breaking 1997 Pacific typhoon season. The typhoon caused significant damage across the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands, especially in Anatahan. Damage totaled to over $200,000 in damages (1997 USD). [2]
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Super Typhoon Joan formed on October 11th as Tropical Depression 28W to the east of Majuro. It became a tropical storm on October 14th and reached typhoon strength on October 15th. The typhoon continued to intensify as it moved west-norhwest. Joan strengthened to Category Five strength on the SSHS, on October 17, with a pressure of 872 millibars (25.8 inHg) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency analyzed the pressure to be 905 millibars (26.7 inHg) and 1-minute wind speeds to be 195 kilometres per hour (121 mph). [3][4] Super Typhoon Joan passed about 50 miles north of Saipan and 30 miles south of Anatahan on October 18th. [2] Super Typhoon Joan also brushed Guam. The system headed towards Japan shortly after brushing Guam.
The 2 super typhoons Ivan and Joan both began to interact with each other on October 18. [5]
Joan began to weaken on October 21, and was downgraded to a 150 mph (240 km/h) Category 4 typhoon. Joan continued to weaken as it entered 25°N 138.3°E. [6] On October 22, it was downgraded to a Category 3 typhoon on the SSHS. Its maximum sustained winds were 120 mph (195 mph). Joan weakened to Category 2 strength on October 23, and its maximum winds dropped to 110 miles per hour (180 km/h). [6]
Joan was downgraded to a category 1 typhoon on October 25, with its maximum winds dropping to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). On October 25, Super Typhoon Joan was declared post-tropical by the Japan Meteorological Agency. [6]
On Anatahan, damage was extensive across the island. Machinery, boats and public property sustained damage. Crops such as banana, cassava and taro were also damaged. All of the damage on Anatahan amounted to at least $200,000. Saipan was slow to respond to the threat of the typhoon, as a result, people were still making storm preperations when the high winds began. Three people were injured when they were boarding up their house. The injuries were caused in part by flying boards. By late morning of the 19th the entire inland of Saipan had lost power. A few houses had tin roofs damaged. At least 37 houses were destroyed. [2]
A band of moisture flowing into Typhoon Joan moved across Guam on the 19th. This resulted in 1.99 inches (51 mm) of rain falling at the Tiyan Weather Office and 2.20 inches (56 mm) at Anderson Air Force Base. This band also caused winds to gust to over 41 miles per hour (66 km/h) at the Tiyan Weather Office. [2] On the Marshall Islands, Super Typhoon Joan caused significant damage.