Japanese Islands Struck by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu Islands have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the area on Monday, coming just after Typhoon Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
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). Flight services were interrupted, infrastructure damaged, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the group of islands. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.
The Evolution of Nakri
Nakri has since transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east 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, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Recalling Halong's Fury
A week earlier, Halong had unleashed more than 200mm of rain in three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, rainfall totals reached 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Significant Harm in Alaska
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. One person died, homes were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong stands as among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its quick strengthening 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 converged, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. 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, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. Over 300 localities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. By Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Search and relief efforts persist, with standing water causing health worries in isolated areas.