The Most Devastating Storms that Science Has Tracked

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The Most Devastating Storms that Science Has Tracked

By Monica Gray - June 24, 2022

Super Typhoon Rai

The Philippines was seen battling yet another typhoon in 2021, when Super Typhoon Rai rampaged through the country and caused thousands of people to seek shelter and safety. It caused widespread flooding and massive destruction to civilians’ homes. It had winds of 110mph and cut down power and communication lines. The typhoon itself affected 13 million people and caused many flights and ports to close.

It was one of the most intense and strongest typhoons to hit Southeast Asia this year. Alberto Bocanegra, head of the International Federation of the Red Cross, said, “this monster storm is frightening and threatens to hit coastal communities like a freight train.” It certainly is frightening and ended up causing a lot of destruction (BBC).

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Typhoon Mitag

In South Korea, a powerful typhoon wrecked the south of the country. In 2020, thousands of people had to take cover. It left nine people dead, and five people missing. It also knocked out the power of over tens of thousands of homes, buried people in landslides, and displaced over 300 people from their homes. President Moon Jae-in said, “my heart aches because human casualties aren’t small.” It was one of the most intense storms in history. Every time a storm causes a casualty, it’s heartbreaking. We can only hope that these storms won’t cause as much destruction in the future (ABC News).

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Cyclone Phailin

Cyclone Phailin touched land in India in 2013. It was one of the most intense cyclones to hit the state of Odisha in 14 years. Winds up to 140 mph and torrential rain came with the storm. The rain toppled trees and power lines, along all of the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states. The government evacuated more than one million people, in order to prevent a high death toll. The country learned from the 1999 cyclone which took 10,000 people, so they did not want to recreate that mistake (World Vision).

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Typhoon Molave

Typhoon Molave hit Vietnam in 2020. It had the same intensity as a category 3 hurricane and was the fourth tropical storm to hit the Southeast Asian country. After the storm, the country experienced intense flooding and landslides that negatively impacted thousands of people. It was reported that 130 people died, and at least 18 went missing. Before the storm, Vice president of Vietnam Red Cross, Nguyen Hai Anh, reported, “Molave is expected to be the strongest and deadliest storm to hit Vietnam this year… and one of the most serious storms we have seen in years.” As heartbreaking as this is, there’s nothing to do when a storm hits, except hope for the best case scenario (Climate Change News).

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Hurricane Matthew

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew destroyed Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and eventually the Bahamas. As it rampaged through this part of the world, it claimed at least nine people and caused severe flooding and damage to the surrounding area. It had 145 mph winds, and it was the most intense and strongest storm to hit Haiti in over 50 years. There were several heartbreaking casualties, one of them being a 26-year-old man that tried to rescue a child in a river and ended up drowning. Ultimately, though, he saved the child (Global Citizen).

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Cyclone Enawo

A cyclone hit Madagascar in 2017 and brought strong winds and heavy rains. It was one of the most intense cyclones of the year and caused massive landslides and tons of flooding. Several communities had to evacuate just before the storm hit, and many volunteers were deployed to help with the damage of the storm and to help those who lacked food, shelter, water, and basic needs. All in all, the storm caused $400 million dollars in damage. It was the strongest cyclone to hit Madagascar since Gafilo in 2004 (VOA News).

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Hurricane Iniki

In 1992, Hurricane Iniki tore through the Pacific Ocean and right into Hawaii. The storm caused monumental damage that affected the lives of many civilians for weeks and months following the storm. It was the state’s costliest hurricane to hit and was one of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded. In the Hawaiian language, Iniki means “strong and piercing wind,” so it is aptly named. Over 1,500 homes were destroyed, and 5,000 other homes sustained tons of damage because of the storm. Six people perished from the effects of the storm (Accuweather).

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Hurricane Grace

Hurricane Grace claimed at least eight people in 2021, as it tore through eastern Mexico. Torrential rainfall, extremely high wind, and power outages followed the destruction of the hurricane. In the state of Veracruz, the most destruction happened, where trees were uprooted, and streets were flooded to rivers of mud. Wind reached up to 125 mph. The storm weakened as it moved inland, but areas like Mexico City still saw tons of rainfall (BBC).

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Storm Malik

In 2022, storms rampaged through the world. Storm Malik was one of the most intense storms that hit northern Europe. Five people ended up dying, many houses were destroyed, and trees fell into the street. A woman and a boy in Scotland died, and a man in Poland was taken out by a falling tree that hit his car. Many accidents caused by high winds were also reported in the Czech Republic. The destruction was widespread (SCMP).

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Typhoon Fengshen

Typhoon Fengshen had an irregular path, and took the Philippines by surprise. Wind gusts reached up to 195 km/h, heavy rain caused landslides and flash floods, and over 700 people died from the effects of the typhoon. The typhoon also destroyed over 300,000 homes. It was one of the most intense storms in the Philippines history. It also caused one of the worst marine disasters in history, where MV Princess of the Stars, which was carrying 866 people, sank just off of the Romblon province. As a result, over 170 people died. There were only 56 survivors, and many others that were unaccounted for (The New Humanitarian).

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Typhoon Thelma

In November 1991, Typhoon Thelma hit the Philippines. Like many other times on this list, the Philippines have succumbed to another natural disaster. Thelma claimed more than 5,100 lives. In the Philippine’s history, it was the most intense and deadliest tropical storm ever recorded. Just as it moved over the Visayas, it reached peak intensity. Eventually, it reached southern Vietnam, where it grew weaker and eventually dissipated (The Summit Express)

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