Hurricane (Typhoon) — Belau, Guam

2012-12-02 to 2012-12-03 · Belau, Guam

Wider weather episode

After passing Chuuk on 28 November, Tropical Storm Bopha intensified into a typhoon on the afternoon of the 30th as it moved west-northwestward through southern Yap State. Late in the evening of the 30th, Bopha began to intensify rapidly, and by the morning of 1 December it was in far western Yap State with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. Bopha continued to intensify as it headed toward Koror in the Republic of Palau, and by 1000 GST on 2 December, Bopha was a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, centered about 200 miles east-southeast of Koror and moving west-northwest. But about this time, Bopha turned slightly to the west, and passed about 55 miles south of Koror at 2200 GST the evening of the 2nd with maximum winds of 155 mph. At about 2330 GST, the eye of Bopha passed 20 miles south of the southern island of Angaur. Bopha then weakened as it moved on west of Palau, and by 1000 GST on the morning of 3 December, Typhoon Bopha was 200 miles west-southwest of Koror with maximum winds of 120 mph.

As it passed Palau, Super Typhoon Bopha brought tropical storm conditions to Koror and points north on Babeldaob Island. But further south, the islands of Peleliu and Angaur experienced typhoon conditions with considerable damage.

At the Weather Service Office in Koror, the maximum sustained wind was northeast at 35 mph on the 2nd at 1856 GST, and the peak gust was from the east at 70 mph at 2354 GST. The lowest sea-level pressure was 1003.0 mb at 2052 GST. The storm total rainfall for 2-3 December was 3.32 inches. At Palau International Airport on the south end of Babeldaob, the maximum sustained wind was 40 mph from the east at 2252 GST on the 2nd and again at 0150 GST on the 3rd, and the peak gust was 59 mph at 2240 GST on the 2nd. Further south, sustained winds are estimated to have reached at least 100 mph on Peleliu, and 130 mph or more on Angaur.

On Babeldaob Island, winds resulted in power outages, communications disruptions, and some damage to buildings and agriculture. But the greatest damage on Babeldaob was along the east coast of the island, where storm surge penetrated several hundred feet inland, damaging roads and damaging or destroying approximately 30 houses. By contrast, damage on Koror was mainly light, due mostly to wind.

The southern islands of Peleliu and Angaur received the worst damage, from both wind and surge. Over 100 houses were destroyed or severely damaged, displacing over 300 people. Local agriculture and infrastructure also suffered major damage.

Throughout the Republic of Palau, no deaths or major injuries were reported as a result of Super Typhoon Bopha. About 150 houses were destroyed or severely damaged, leaving at least 350 people without homes. Total damage is estimated at $10,000,000 of property damage and about $100,000 in crop damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 426987. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.