Macau, a region in East Asia, has a history of experiencing powerful typhoons and cyclones. These storms have significantly influenced the region’s landscape and infrastructure, often causing widespread damage and disruptions.
Understanding the biggest storms to hit Macau helps prepare for future events and highlights the resilience of its people and infrastructure. This article will explore those major storms, providing insights into their impact and the measures taken to recover and rebuild.
1. Typhoon Hato (2017)
Typhoon Hato struck Macau in August 2017. It was one of the most powerful storms the region had experienced in over fifty years.
The storm caused significant flooding, with parts of Macau submerged underwater.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued the highest tropical cyclone warning, the No.10 Hurricane Signal. Macau faced severe damage to infrastructure, with many buildings and homes affected.
The storm led to the deaths of at least 16 people in Macau and southern China. The city experienced the worst flooding since 1925, disrupting daily life and local businesses.
Authorities conducted surveys to map the inundation depths. Over half of the Macau Peninsula was flooded, as shown by a high-resolution survey of 278 sites. The storm damaged not just the physical structures but also impacted the community.
2. Typhoon Vicente (2012)
Typhoon Vicente, known as Tropical Depression Ferdie in the Philippines, hit Macau in 2012. It was one of the most powerful storms in the region’s history.
Vicente began as a tropical depression on July 18, 2012. It rapidly intensified, strengthening by three categories within 30 hours. This fast development was unusual for storms near Macau.
The typhoon was notable for its impact on Macau and nearby areas like Hong Kong. With its high winds and heavy rains, Vicente caused significant damage and disruption. Buildings were affected, and transportation systems were halted.
For more information about this storm, you can read about the 2012 Typhoon Vicente.
3. Typhoon Chanchu (2006)
Typhoon Chanchu, also known as Typhoon Caloy in the Philippines, was a powerful storm that struck in May 2006.
It formed on May 8 in the vicinity of the Federated States of Micronesia. As it moved westward, Chanchu intensified into a strong typhoon.
It reached peak winds of up to 230 km/h and became the most intense typhoon in the South China Sea during May.
Typhoon Chanchu impacted several areas, including Macau. The storm triggered heavy rains and strong winds that caused significant damage. Many homes and buildings were affected, and the city’s infrastructure faced disruptions.
Chanchu caused widespread flooding in low-lying parts of Macau. The typhoon’s strength and the resulting damage made it one of the most memorable storms to hit the region. More details can be found here.
4. Typhoon Utor (2001)
Typhoon Utor, known as Typhoon Feria in the Philippines, was a powerful and deadly storm. It occurred during the 2001 Pacific typhoon season.
Utor caused significant damage and heavy rains in regions such as the Philippines, Taiwan, and China.
Utor was the eighth tropical depression and the fourth named storm of that season. It was known for its large size and strong wind speeds. The storm led to severe floods and landslides, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread destruction.
The Philippines experienced some of the worst impacts from Utor. The storm’s heavy rains and strong winds caused significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Many areas were flooded, which disrupted daily life and caused considerable economic loss. More details about Typhoon Utor can be found here.
5. Typhoon Pabuk (2007)
Typhoon Pabuk hit in early August 2007. It was one of the notable storms of the 2007 Pacific typhoon season, which saw a near average number of storms.
Pabuk formed on August 5, 2007, and affected the Philippines, Taiwan, and China. Known locally in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Chedeng, it reached Taiwan on August 7.
The storm then moved south of Hong Kong on August 9. Pabuk brought strong winds and heavy rain, causing significant disruption in the affected areas.
Satellite images show Pabuk’s journey, with maximum wind speeds reaching 130 km/h. These conditions led to various impacts in the region.
For further details on Typhoon Pabuk’s path and effects, you can refer to Typhoon Pabuk 2007 on Zoom Earth.
6. Typhoon Nuri (2008)
Typhoon Nuri, also known locally as Typhoon Karen, made a significant impact on Macau in 2008. This storm was the 12th named storm and the 7th typhoon recognized by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Nuri struck the Philippines on August 19, 2008, before moving towards Guangdong, China. Its path included passing through the Luzon Strait, causing severe weather conditions in Macau.
The typhoon reached its peak intensity over the warm waters east of Luzon but weakened as it entered the South China Sea. Despite this, Typhoon Nuri caused substantial disruptions and damage in Macau, including heavy rain and strong winds.
For more detailed information on Typhoon Nuri, you can visit the track and windspeed of Typhoon Nuri.
7. Typhoon Usagi (2013)
Typhoon Usagi was one of the most intense storms of 2013. It achieved peak winds of 150 mph, making it a super typhoon.
Usagi hit Guangdong, China, causing significant damage with estimated economic losses reaching ¥26.4 billion (US$4.31 billion). The storm was deadly, resulting in the deaths of 35 people, with 29 fatalities in Guangdong alone.
As Usagi approached, Macau experienced severe weather conditions. The city faced heavy rain and strong winds, disrupting daily life and causing property damage.
Usagi also led to numerous evacuations in affected areas, ensuring safety and minimizing injuries. The name “Usagi” means “rabbit” in Japanese, relating to the constellation Lepus, adding to its unique identifier among storms.
8. Typhoon Hagupit (2008)
Typhoon Hagupit, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Nina, struck in September 2008. This powerful storm was the 10th typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season.
Hagupit developed from a tropical wave east of the Marshall Islands. It intensified as it moved, eventually becoming a Category 4 typhoon.
Hagupit made landfall in Guangdong province, China. The impact was significant, causing widespread damage in the region. The strong winds and heavy rainfall led to severe flooding and destruction of property.
The storm also affected other areas in Southeast Asia, showing the wide-reaching impact of such powerful typhoons. Hagupit’s path of devastation is well-remembered even years after it occurred.
9. Typhoon Rammasun (2014)
Typhoon Rammasun, also known as Typhoon Glenda in the Philippines, was a Category 5 super typhoon. It struck the South China Sea in July 2014 with significant force.
The storm heavily affected areas in the Philippines, South China, and Vietnam. In southern China, it destroyed tens of thousands of homes and led to multiple fatalities.
When Rammasun hit Macau, it brought strong winds and heavy rain. The typhoon caused significant disruptions, including power outages and damage to buildings.
Meteorologists consider Rammasun one of the strongest typhoons in the past four decades. The storm’s intensity and speed made it especially dangerous for coastal areas.
Evacuations were necessary as floods and landslides became imminent threats. The devastating impacts of Rammasun remain a key topic in discussions about severe weather in the region.
10. Typhoon Nida (2016)
Typhoon Nida, also known as Severe Tropical Storm Carina, was significant for its impact on Macau in 2016. It struck the region with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Forming on July 28, 2016, Nida quickly intensified as it moved north-northwest. By August 2, it made landfall in southern China, affecting Macau with severe weather conditions.
Macau experienced gusts and heavy rainfall, leading to disruptions and damage. Flights were canceled, and the community faced challenges in the storm’s aftermath.
Historical Impact of Major Storms
Major storms have tremendously affected Macau both economically and in terms of urban and infrastructure damage. Highlighted below are the specific consequences in these areas.
Economic Consequences
Storms in Macau have greatly strained the local economy. For example, Typhoon Hato in 2017 led to losses exceeding $1.4 billion.
Many businesses were forced to shut down temporarily, causing a sharp decline in tourism, which is a significant part of Macau’s economy.
The disruption to transport and other essential services also had prolonged economic impacts.
Repairing the damage incurred during these storms often required considerable financial resources, diverting funds from other vital areas such as healthcare and education.
The economic toll from these natural disasters is immense, often taking years for full recovery. Efforts to boost economic resilience have become essential to minimize future economic losses.
Urban and Infrastructure Damage
Storms have caused severe urban and infrastructure damage in Macau. Typhoon Hato wreaked havoc by flooding streets and knocking down buildings.
Numerous residential areas saw extensive damage, rendering many homes uninhabitable. Historical landmarks and public buildings also suffered.
The effect on infrastructure included damaged roads, bridges, and the power grid.
Electrical outages left parts of the city in darkness for extended periods, affecting both daily life and business operations.
Restoring this damaged infrastructure requires substantial time and resources.
The intensity of urban damage underscores the importance of enhancing infrastructure resilience to better withstand future storms. This includes upgrading building codes and improving flood management systems.
Climate and Meteorological Patterns
Macau experiences distinct weather patterns influenced by its tropical monsoon climate. This section covers important details about typhoon formation and the specific weather patterns observed in Macau.
Typhoon Formation
Typhoons, known as tropical cyclones in the region, originate over warm ocean waters.
These storms form when sea surface temperatures are at least 26.5°C. Warm, moist air rises from the ocean, creating low pressure at the surface.
Air moves into this low-pressure area, and as it rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and rain.
The Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth’s rotation, helps spin the storm, giving it its characteristic spiral shape. This is more pronounced between 5° and 20° latitude, where most typhoons form.
Wind speeds must reach at least 118 km/h (73 mph) for a storm to be classified as a typhoon. These powerful systems can bring heavy rain, high winds, and storm surges, causing significant damage.
Patterns Specific to Macau
Macau’s location in the South China Sea makes it prone to typhoons, especially from June to October. The city experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters.
The most active months for severe weather are August and September.
Storm warnings in Macau are issued frequently due to the high frequency of severe weather events. In recent years, the number of storm warning signals has increased significantly.
For example, between January and mid-May 2024, Macau issued 10 storm signals, including yellow, red, and black warnings.
Most severe typhoons occur during these peak months, with wind speeds often reaching over 200 km/h. One notable typhoon, Saola, reached wind speeds of up to 230 km/h in August 2023.
These powerful storms can cause widespread disruption, including flooding and damage to infrastructure and homes.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Emergency preparedness in Macau has significantly improved over the years, with the government and community playing active roles. Advances in technology have also bolstered accurate forecasting and timely alerts.
Government Initiatives
The Macau government has taken substantial steps to enhance emergency preparedness. After the disruptive impact of Super Typhoon Hato, they focused on optimizing their emergency response mechanisms.
They established a more robust infrastructure and improved coordination between different agencies.
For instance, new evacuation procedures and designated shelters have been put in place. The government has also conducted regular drills and public awareness campaigns.
These measures help ensure that residents are prepared and know what to do when a typhoon approaches.
Community Efforts
Community involvement has proven crucial for effective emergency response. Local organizations have set up volunteer groups trained in first aid and disaster response.
These groups act as first responders before official teams arrive.
Schools and businesses have incorporated emergency drills into their routines. Additionally, neighborhoods have started forming their own support networks.
They ensure that vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, receive timely assistance during emergencies.
Strong community bonds and readiness have made the overall response more efficient and faster.
Technological Advances in Forecasting
Technological improvements have greatly enhanced typhoon forecasting in Macau.
With the aid of satellite imagery and advanced computer models, the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) can predict storms more accurately.
This helps in issuing timely warnings and taking early action.
For example, the SMG hoisted the typhoon signal during Severe Typhoon Koinu, allowing residents to prepare in advance.
Alerts are not only broadcast over traditional media but also through mobile apps and social media platforms.
These technological advancements ensure that the public receives crucial information swiftly, thereby reducing the potential for casualties and damages.
Better forecasting tools have undoubtedly been a game-changer in Macau’s preparedness strategy.