typhoon haiyan case study video

2013 State of the Climate: Record-breaking Super Typhoon Haiyan

Debris lines the streets of Tacloban, Leyte Island. Photo by Trocaire, via Wikimedia .

In the early hours of November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan raged into the southern Philippines. The Category 5 storm struck the Visayas region with devastating winds and towering waves. The storm struck with such force that even government-designated storm shelters were swept away. Haiyan, locally known as “Yolanda,” was the deadliest typhoon in the country’s modern record. The storm affected more than 16 million people and left 4 million homeless. In its most recent update from April 2014, the Philippine government confirmed 6,300 dead and more than 1,000 still missing.

Haiyan slammed into the east coast of Samar and Leyte with what may have been the highest recorded wind speed for a tropical cyclone at landfall. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center assigned Haiyan’s one-minute sustained winds at 170 knots (196 mph) when the storm first made landfall in eastern Samar. Although this estimate is still awaiting official validation, it would make Haiyan the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded at landfall. The previous record of 165 knots (190 mph) is shared by Hurricanes Camille (1969) and Allen (1980) and Super Typhoon Tip (1979).

Haiyan was unusual not just for its record strength, but for its location: it’s very uncommon for tropical cyclones to form so close to the equator. The storm formed at a very low latitude, south of Pohnpei Island (~ 5° N), before swiftly moving westward through Micronesia. It developed into a super typhoon just east of Palau and caused immense property damage in the Kayangel Atoll. It then continued on a west-northwest track before making landfall in the Philippines.

Tracks for the thousands of Eastern Hemisphere tropical cyclones documented in the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship database for 1842-2012. Rarely do storms form within ~5° of the equator. Map by Dan Pisut, NOAA Environmental Visualization Lab.

Haiyan’s intense formation was even more notable because a similarly uncommon low-latitude storm—the deadly Super Typhoon Bopha—hit both Palau and the southern Philippines less than a year earlier in December 2012.

Samar and Leyte Islands suffered the most devastating damage, where the storm surge decimated the coastal city of Tacloban. Tacloban is located in a particularly vulnerable position at the head of San Pedro Bay; much of the city sits a mere five meters above sea level. Early estimates found that the storm surge may have reached a record-high of 7.5 meters (24.6 ft), making Haiyan a contender for the highest storm surge ever observed in the Philippines or East Asia. Eyewitness reports from downtown Tacloban have contributed to even higher surge estimates of 8.5-9.1 meters (27.9 – 29.8 ft). The current surge record of 7.3 meters (23.9 ft) was set in the Philippines in 1897.

Historically high sea levels may have contributed to the storm’s destructive force. Sea level around the central Philippines has risen 200 millimeters (7.9 in) since 1970. Higher sea levels contribute to increased coastal flooding and impact during storm surge events. Fortunately, the peak storm surge at Tacloban occurred at a time of relatively low tide; had the peak surge occurred at high tide, the water level would have been 0.5 meters (1.6 ft) higher.  

Aerial view of damaged homes on Binuluanguan Island, Phillippines. Photo by Keith Morgan, via Wikimedia .

Haiyan actually made five additional landfalls in the Philippines before emerging over the South China Sea, turning northwestward, and striking northern Vietnam as a severe tropical storm on November 10. Months later, the storm’s impact resulted in a massive relief and relocation effort. Ambitious resiliency planning is underway to help mitigate and prepare for similarly destructive typhoons that may strike the region in the future.

M. Lander, C. Guard and S.J. Camargo, 2014: [The Tropics] Sidebar 4.2: Super Typhoon Haiyan [in “State of the Climate in 2013”]. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. , 95 (7), S112-S114.

O. Teves and C. Bodeen (2013, November 11). Haiyan Storm Surges Caught Philippines by Surprise . Associated Press . Accessed June 24, 2014.

L. Buchanan, H. Fairfield, A. Parlapiano, S. Peçanha, T. Wallace, D. Watkins and K. Yourish (2013, November 11) Mapping the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan. New York Times . Accessed June 24, 2014.

Republic of the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Updates re the Effects of Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), 17 April 2014 . Accessed June 24, 2014.

U.N. Development Program (2014, May). UNDP Supports Typhoon Recovery and Resilience in the Visayas . Accessed June 25, 2014.

B. Dec (2014, June 13). Rebuilding Livelihoods in the Philippines Post-Typhoon Haiyan . White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Accessed June 24, 2014.

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Typhoon Haiyan

The Philippines consists of a group of islands in the South China Sea. The country regularly suffers from large typhoons that move in from the south west every year during the tropical storm season. This case study is about Typhoon Haiyan, which is unofficially the fourth most intense tropical cyclone ever observed.

Facts about the Philippines & UK (from CIA Fact book 2014)

BACKGROUND CAUSES

The Philippines sits in an area of seasonally warm ocean water (sea temperatures over 27°C) and has enough Coriolis Force to create rotating winds over the ocean's surface. Sea-level rise is happening globally but is particularly affecting the Philippines. It is caused by global warming and has gone up by about 20cm since 1900. These sea level rises create larger storm surges. Use of groundwater has caused parts of the country to sink. The worst affected city, Tacloban, is at the end of a bay that funnelled water from the storm surge.

NASA image of Typhoon Haiyan By NASA, LAADS Web

Timeline of development; • 2nd November 2013 – Typhoon Haiyan starts as an area of low pressure several hundred kilometers east-southeast of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. • 3rd November – moves west and develops into a tropical depression • 4th November - Haiyan becomes a tropical storm • 5th November -  the system began a period of rapid intensification that brought it to typhoon intensity. • 7th November  - Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in  Guiuan, Eastern Samar • 10th to 11th of November - Haiyan reaches Vietnam and weakens in intensity Impacts Quick facts according to the Disasters and Emergency Committee of the UK • Typhoon Haiyan - known locally as Yolanda - hit eastern Samar Island at 8.40pm GMT on 7 November 2013 (4.40am 8th November local time). • It caused a storm surge – a wall of water – that was 25 feet high in some areas, including in the town of Tacloban. • Over 14 million people were affected across 46 provinces. • The city of Tacloban, home to more than 220,000 people, suffered more loss of life than any other area of the Philippines. • Five million people saw their homes severely damaged or destroyed (550,000 houses destroyed and an additional 580,000 houses were severely damaged).

Devastation in Tacloban By Trocaire from Ireland (DSC_0749)

Typhoon Haiyan is one of the most devastating storms of recent history. It killed approximately 7400 people (6,340 confirmed, 1,061 missing) and affected 9 million people. Immediately after the storm the Philippines faced a humanitarian crisis after the Visayas Islands in the central part of the country had 1.9 million homeless and more than 6,000,000 displaced. The economy was affected, with estimated losses at $2.9billion with much of this in agriculture.  The major rice and sugar producing areas for the Philippines were destroyed. A total of 131,611 tons of rice was lost (Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)), together with much of the coconut crop which is nearly half the Philippines agricultural exports (the country is the world’s biggest producer of coconut oil).  5.9 million Workers lost income sources according to USAID. Tacloban airport terminal building was also completely destroyed by a 5m storm surge. The United Nations feared the possibility of the spread of disease is high due to the lack of food, water, shelter, and medication. In addition, casualties were reported as a result of the lack of aid in affected areas.  Socially people were affected; they became refugees in lass affected areas and migrated there.  Also, fishing communities were affected with the storm destroying boats and associated equipment. The natural environment was also affected, with loss of forests, trees and widespread flooding. Local ecosystems were also affected by sewage leaking from overwhelmed sewage systems and oil leaks. A lack of sanitation in days following the event also leads to a higher level of pollution.

Management & responses The government was criticised for its slow response to this event. However, the Philippines formally declared "A State of National Calamity" and asked for international help; one day after the Haiyan hit the country.  A week after the typhoon had struck President Benigno Aquino was under growing pressure to speed up the distribution of networks or food, water and medicine to desperate survivors and to get paralysed local governments functioning. However, the storm damaged infrastructure making response difficult.  For example, the Tacloban city government was decimated, with just 70 workers in the immediate days after the disaster compared to 2,500 normally. Many were killed, injured, lost family or were simply too traumatised to work.

By December, water tanks had been installed by charities like Oxfam but not in all areas.  6 Months later, many people still had limited access to shelter and water.  NGOs like the International Red cross were trying to provide adequate settlements, fresh water access and access to jobs/livelihood. The Philippines authorities have invested in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). They spent $624m on this in 2011 – two per cent of the national budget and 0.28 per cent of GDP – while at least five per cent of a local authority's revenue is set aside for its Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund

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Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

Typhoon haiyan (2013).

Typhoon Haiyan was a Category 5 ‘super’ typhoon that affected the Philippines in November 2013.

• The storm formed over the warm tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean and moved westwards.
• Winds reached 275 km/hr.
• The storm surge devastated the city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte.

Primary effects

• 6,300 were killed.
• Damage to 40,000 homes.
• 90% of the city of Tacloban was destroyed.

Secondary effects

• Roads were blocked by landslides that were caused by flooding.
• Disease outbreaks were caused by a lack of clean water and sanitation.

Responses to Typhoon Haiyan

• Overseas aid from NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
• 1,200 evacuation centres were set up.
• Aid in the forms of finance and supplies from the UN (United Nations).
• Homes were rebuilt in safer areas.

1 The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1 Natural Hazards

1.1.1 Types of Natural Hazards

1.1.2 Hazard Risk

1.1.3 Consequences of Natural Hazards

1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Natural Hazards

1.1.5 Exam-Style Questions - Natural Hazards

1.2 Tectonic Hazards

1.2.1 Tectonic Plates

1.2.2 Tectonic Plates & Convection Currents

1.2.3 Plate Margins

1.2.4 Volcanoes

1.2.5 Effects of Volcanoes

1.2.6 Responses to Volcanic Eruptions

1.2.7 Earthquakes

1.2.8 Earthquakes 2

1.2.9 Responses to Earthquakes

1.2.10 Case Studies: The L'Aquila & Kashmir Earthquakes

1.2.11 Earthquake Case Study: Chile 2010

1.2.12 Earthquake Case Study: Nepal 2015

1.2.13 Living with Tectonic Hazards 1

1.2.14 Living with Tectonic Hazards 2

1.2.15 End of Topic Test - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.16 Exam-Style Questions - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.17 Tectonic Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.3 Weather Hazards

1.3.1 Global Atmospheric Circulation

1.3.2 Surface Winds

1.3.3 UK Weather Hazards

1.3.4 Tropical Storms

1.3.5 Features of Tropical Storms

1.3.6 Impact of Tropical Storms 1

1.3.7 Impact of Tropical Storms 2

1.3.8 Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

1.3.9 Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

1.3.10 UK Weather Hazards Case Study: Somerset 2014

1.3.11 End of Topic Test - Weather Hazards

1.3.12 Exam-Style Questions - Weather Hazards

1.3.13 Weather Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.4 Climate Change

1.4.1 Evidence for Climate Change

1.4.2 Causes of Climate Change

1.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

1.4.4 Managing Climate Change

1.4.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change

1.4.6 Exam-Style Questions - Climate Change

1.4.7 Climate Change - Statistical Skills

2 The Living World

2.1 Ecosystems

2.1.1 Ecosystems

2.1.2 Ecosystem Cascades & Global Ecosystems

2.1.3 Ecosystem Case Study: Freshwater Ponds

2.2 Tropical Rainforests

2.2.1 Tropical Rainforests - Intro & Interdependence

2.2.2 Adaptations

2.2.3 Biodiversity of Tropical Rainforests

2.2.4 Deforestation

2.2.5 Case Study: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

2.2.6 Sustainable Management of Rainforests

2.2.7 Case Study: Malaysian Rainforest

2.2.8 End of Topic Test - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.9 Exam-Style Questions - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.10 Deforestation - Statistical Skills

2.3 Hot Deserts

2.3.1 Overview of Hot Deserts

2.3.2 Biodiversity & Adaptation to Hot Deserts

2.3.3 Case Study: Sahara Desert

2.3.4 Desertification

2.3.5 Case Study: Thar Desert

2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Hot Deserts

2.3.7 Exam-Style Questions - Hot Deserts

2.4 Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.1 Overview of Cold Environments

2.4.2 Adaptations in Cold Environments

2.4.3 Biodiversity in Cold Environments

2.4.4 Case Study: Alaska

2.4.5 Sustainable Management

2.4.6 Case Study: Svalbard

2.4.7 End of Topic Test - Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.8 Exam-Style Questions - Cold Environments

3 Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.1.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.2 Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.1 Types of Wave

3.2.2 Weathering & Mass Movement

3.2.3 Processes of Erosion & Wave-Cut Platforms

3.2.4 Headlands, Bays, Caves, Arches & Stacks

3.2.5 Transportation

3.2.6 Deposition

3.2.7 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

3.2.8 Case Study: Landforms on the Dorset Coast

3.2.9 Types of Coastal Management 1

3.2.10 Types of Coastal Management 2

3.2.11 Coastal Management Case Study - Holderness

3.2.12 Coastal Management Case Study: Swanage

3.2.13 Coastal Management Case Study - Lyme Regis

3.2.14 End of Topic Test - Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.15 Exam-Style Questions - Coasts

3.3 River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.1 The River Valley

3.3.2 River Valley Case Study - River Tees

3.3.3 Erosion

3.3.4 Transportation & Deposition

3.3.5 Waterfalls, Gorges & Interlocking Spurs

3.3.6 Meanders & Oxbow Lakes

3.3.7 Floodplains & Levees

3.3.8 Estuaries

3.3.9 Case Study: The River Clyde

3.3.10 River Management

3.3.11 Hard & Soft Flood Defences

3.3.12 River Management Case Study - Boscastle

3.3.13 River Management Case Study - Banbury

3.3.14 End of Topic Test - River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Rivers

3.4 Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.1 Erosion

3.4.2 Landforms Caused by Erosion

3.4.3 Landforms Caused by Transportation & Deposition

3.4.4 Snowdonia

3.4.5 Land Use in Glaciated Areas

3.4.6 Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

3.4.7 Case Study - Lake District

3.4.8 End of Topic Test - Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Glacial Landscapes

4 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.1 Urbanisation

4.1.2 Urbanisation Case Study: Lagos

4.1.3 Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro

4.1.4 UK Cities

4.1.5 Case Study: Urban Regen Projects - Manchester

4.1.6 Case Study: Urban Change in Liverpool

4.1.7 Case Study: Urban Change in Bristol

4.1.8 Sustainable Urban Life

4.1.9 End of Topic Test - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.10 Exam-Style Questions - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.11 Urban Issues -Statistical Skills

5 The Changing Economic World

5.1 The Changing Economic World

5.1.1 Measuring Development

5.1.2 Classifying Countries Based on Wealth

5.1.3 The Demographic Transition Model

5.1.4 Physical & Historical Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.5 Economic Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.6 How Can We Reduce the Global Development Gap?

5.1.7 Case Study: Tourism in Kenya

5.1.8 Case Study: Tourism in Jamaica

5.1.9 Case Study: Economic Development in India

5.1.10 Case Study: Aid & Development in India

5.1.11 Case Study: Economic Development in Nigeria

5.1.12 Case Study: Aid & Development in Nigeria

5.1.13 Economic Development in the UK

5.1.14 Economic Development UK: Industry & Rural

5.1.15 Economic Development UK: Transport & North-South

5.1.16 Economic Development UK: Regional & Global

5.1.17 End of Topic Test - The Changing Economic World

5.1.18 Exam-Style Questions - The Changing Economic World

5.1.19 Changing Economic World - Statistical Skills

6 The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1 Resource Management

6.1.1 Global Distribution of Resources

6.1.2 Food in the UK

6.1.3 Water in the UK 1

6.1.4 Water in the UK 2

6.1.5 Energy in the UK

6.1.6 Resource Management - Statistical Skills

6.2.1 Areas of Food Surplus & Food Deficit

6.2.2 Food Supply & Food Insecurity

6.2.3 Increasing Food Supply

6.2.4 Case Study: Thanet Earth

6.2.5 Creating a Sustainable Food Supply

6.2.6 Case Study: Agroforestry in Mali

6.2.7 End of Topic Test - Food

6.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Food

6.2.9 Food - Statistical Skills

6.3.1 The Global Demand for Water

6.3.2 What Affects the Availability of Water?

6.3.3 Increasing Water Supplies

6.3.4 Case Study: Water Transfer in China

6.3.5 Sustainable Water Supply

6.3.6 Case Study: Kenya's Sand Dams

6.3.7 Case Study: Lesotho Highland Water Project

6.3.8 Case Study: Wakel River Basin Project

6.3.9 Exam-Style Questions - Water

6.3.10 Water - Statistical Skills

6.4.1 Global Demand for Energy

6.4.2 Factors Affecting Energy Supply

6.4.3 Increasing Energy Supply: Renewables

6.4.4 Increasing Energy Supply: Non-Renewables

6.4.5 Carbon Footprints & Energy Conservation

6.4.6 Case Study: Rice Husks in Bihar

6.4.7 Exam-Style Questions - Energy

6.4.8 Energy - Statistical Skills

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