Hurricane (Typhoon) — Belau, Guam

2021-04-14 to 2021-04-16 · Belau, Guam

Event narrative

Typhoon Surigae began as a weak tropical disturbance well to the southwest of Weno, Chuuk. On April 9, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) opened Invest Area 94W on a weak circulation centered near 6N146E.

By the afternoon of the 13th the Joint Typhoon Warning Center made the circulation an invest area, Invest 94W, as it was located east of Palau near 7N138E.

The circulation became Tropical Depression 02W in the early morning of the 14th of April as it was located near 8N137E. The system continued to intensify and later in the morning of the 14th it became Tropical Storm Surigae

Surigae continued to intensify as it moved slowly west and than west-southwest and by the morning of the 16th it became a typhoon when it was located 40 miles north of Kayangel in Palau. This was the time of closest approach to Koror and Kayangel. Surigae when it was a minimal typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. As it moved away from Palau and Kayangel its intensification was more rapid as it became better organized over the next 24 hours. Along with this intensification was an increasing size of the wind field associated with the strengthening typhoon. This enlarged wind field required the Tropical Storm Warning at Koror and the Typhoon Warning at Kayangel to remain in place even though Surigae was moving away from Palau.

There was an estimated 4 to 5 feet of storm surge evident across windward coastlines of Palau, with maximum inundation experienced during the high tide in the early morning hours of Friday, 16 April.

Impacts were numerous across the Republic of Palau, which saw tropical storm-force conditions

across Koror and the coastal waters (extending 40 miles out to sea from Koror). Stronger conditions

were felt farther north across Kayangel, due to its closer proximity to the center of Surigae.

Damage reports from the Government of Palau state:

150 homes destroyed; 1000 homes with minor damage.

Estimated $4.8 million in damage; $2 mil of that in the food sector; $1 mil in infrastructure

Damaged: 12 of 18 public schools; 4 of 6 private schools; 5 of 10 Head Start locations

Populations in need of assistance:

People with damage or destroyed homes now living with host families

People with compromised water, electricity or loss of livelihoods

Emergency needs estimated for 3650 households

The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) and Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) sustained heavy losses due to damaged equipment and materials. The labor required to restore services is estimated at $1.1 million.

Surigae caused extensive damage to vegetation and public infrastructure, i.e. roads, airport, seaports, and buildings in various states in Palau. High winds and storm surge left behind extensive debris, blocking roads and driveways.

Of note, 100% of homes on Kayangel (population approximately 70) had damage. All communications were lost with Kayangel during the passage of Surigae, with some restoration about 12 hours later, or late in the day on 16 April. Immediately following the passage, approximately 350 people across Koror and Kayangel were in shelters, with all 18 public schools open as storm shelters.

On the waters, the humanitarian/small cargo ship, Rim Nativa (WRN Ambassador with WFO Guam) was moored in a protected harbor in advance of the storm. Late on 15 April and early 16 April, during peak storm conditions, the mooring broke as well as the ship's steering failed. The ship's captain and 4 others on board were adrift in the harbor, eventually pushed up against several rock islands and taking about 8-12 hours of repeated beatings. The captain sent a midnight message to the WFO Guam WCM as

well as messages to officials in Palau. Rescuers were able to help bring the Rim Nativa to safer anchorage near Sam's Dock, Koror, to ride out the remainder of the storm. Reports from USCG Guam was that 'eyes were on the ship and it was afloat.'

There were no reported injuries or deaths. One elderly woman was reported missing for a period of time but was soon located and safe.

Continued strengthening saw Surigae become a Super Typhoon by the evening of the 17th when it was located near 12N130E or 435 miles to the northwest of Koror, Palau. A Super-typhoon is one that has maximum sustained winds of 150 mph or greater.

PTKR

Max Sustained Winds: 35kt April 15/09z and April 15/20z

Max Gust 56kt April 15/22

Lowest Sea Level Pres. A2950 at April 16/0450z) 998.9mb

997.2mb at April 16/06z.

Rainfall for PTKR WSO Palau from April 11/00Z to April 18/00 was 14.32 inches.

Wider weather episode

Typhoon Surigae passed over the Republic of Palau and Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia from April 14th to the 16th. It caused some damage across Palau, but fortunately no deaths.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 949403. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.