Japanese Islands Hit by Two Successive Tropical Storms
The Izu Islands have faced yet another severe impact as tropical cyclone Nakri swept through the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on Hachijojima Island
Officials on Hachijojima Island noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h). Airport operations were disrupted, infrastructure damaged, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The typhoon also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in the Kanagawa region, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
Nakri's Transformation
The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, weakening as it moved eastwards over cooler north Pacific waters, with wind speeds dropping to about 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remaining parts are headed to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.
Remembering Halong's Impact
A week earlier, Halong had unleashed more than 200mm of rain in three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By the late morning of the previous Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The typhoon’s remnants then traveled over the northern Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. A single fatality occurred, homes were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. Alaska experienced an historic mass evacuation by air to relocate affected individuals. Halong stands as among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was fuelled by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across the central and eastern areas. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla left the ground saturated, worsening floods as Raymond approached. More than 300 communities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. By Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.