Tropical Storm Meari (2011)
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Severe Tropical Storm Meari, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Falcon, was an unusually large tropical cyclone that caused significant damage from the Philippines to the Korean Peninsula in June 2011.


Meteorological history

On June 16, a large, disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms developed in association with a weak
area of low pressure In meteorology, a low-pressure area, low area or low is a region where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure areas are commonly associated with inclement weather (such as cloudy, windy, with possible ...
well to the southeast of Yap. Gradually, the disturbance became more organized as it moved through an area of moderate wind shear, high sea surface temperatures (estimated at by satellites) and favorable
diffluence Deformation is the rate of change of shape of fluid bodies. Meteorologically, this quantity is very important in the formation of atmospheric fronts, in the explanation of cloud shapes, and in the diffusion of materials and properties.Djurić, D ...
. Further development of the low prompted the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on June 20. Around 1800  UTC, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) declared the system as a tropical depression. At this time, the depression was located roughly 405 km (250 mi) northwest of Palau. Tracking steadily northwestward in response to a
ridge A ridge or a mountain ridge is a geographical feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for an extended distance. The sides of the ridge slope away from the narrow top on either side. The line ...
to the northeast, the depression crossed west of 135°E on June 21 and entered the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Pagasa may refer to: * ''Pagasa'' (genus), an insect genus in the family Nabidae *PAGASA, an acronym for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration *"May Pagasa", a pen-name of José Rizal *Pagasa, alternate s ...
's (PAGASA) area of responsibility. The storm was subsequently assigned the local name ''Falcon'' by PAGASA. Throughout the day, convection around the center of the depression increased and developed defined banding features along the storm's periphery. Aided by a
tropical upper tropospheric trough A tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT), also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in the upper-level (at about 200 hPa) tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into th ...
to the east,
outflow Outflow may refer to: *Capital outflow, the capital leaving a particular economy *Bipolar outflow, in astronomy, two continuous flows of gas from the poles of a star *Outflow (hydrology), the discharge of a lake or other reservoir system * Outflow ...
improved around the circulation. A large system, roughly 1,480 km (920 mi) wide, convection was slow to consolidate over the center which remained mostly cloud free. Microwave satellite imagery indicated that the system lacked strong inflow, leading to a disorganized structure. Due to its large size, slow intensification was expected over the following several days as the storm tracked generally northwestward towards Taiwan. Early on June 22, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, at which time the JMA assigned it the name ''Meari''. Around the time it was upgraded, the storm had grown to a size that covered nearly the entire
Philippine Sea The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean east of the Philippine archipelago (hence the name), the largest in the world, occupying an estimated surface area of . The Philippine Sea Plate forms the floor of the sea. Its ...
. By June 23, convection began consolidating near the storm's center, indicating that the storm was intensifying. The following day, the JMA estimated that Meari strengthened to a severe tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds around 95 km/h (60 mph). Later that day, the storm's expansive windfield began to contract as an upper-level trough near Taiwan impinged on the western edge of Meari. Though the storm's overall structure degraded somewhat, surface observations continued to show intensification with a meteorological station on Shimojishima reporting winds of . Late on June 24, Tropical Storm Meari is estimated to have attained its peak intensity with winds around 110 km/h (70 mph) and a barometric pressure of 975  mbar ( hPa; 28.79 
inHg Inch of mercury (inHg and ″Hg) is a non- SI unit of measurement for pressure. It is used for barometric pressure in weather reports, refrigeration and aviation in the United States. It is the pressure exerted by a column of mercury in heigh ...
). Situated northeast of Taiwan, the storm turned northward due to a blocking ridge over Manchuria,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
. By this time, the storm moved out of PAGASA's area of responsibility and the agency issued their final advisory. Throughout June 25, Meari's structure rapidly degraded as an approaching trough produced major
subsidence Subsidence is a general term for downward vertical movement of the Earth's surface, which can be caused by both natural processes and human activities. Subsidence involves little or no horizontal movement, which distinguishes it from slope move ...
over the northwester portion of the storm. Situated between a subtropical ridge to the east and a trough to the west, the storm rapidly accelerated northward towards the Korean Peninsula. During this time, the system crossed over significantly cooler waters and alongside the subsidence, convection struggled to develop. Once over the
East China Sea The East China Sea is an arm of the Western Pacific Ocean, located directly offshore from East China. It covers an area of roughly . The sea’s northern extension between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula is the Yellow Sea, separated b ...
on June 26, the vertical structure of Meari significantly degraded, leaving only a surface low. In light of this, the storm turned back towards the northwest, again threatening China. Void of convection due to shear from the mid-latitude Westerlies, the weakened system soon made landfall along the Shandong Peninsula. After remaining near the peninsula for several hours, Meari rapidly accelerated towards the northeast and began taking on characteristics of an
extratropical cyclone Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are low-pressure areas which, along with the anticyclones of high-pressure areas, drive the weather over much of the Earth. Extratropical cyclones are capable of ...
. Early on June 27, the storm completed the transition into an extratropical system hours before striking North Korea near the city of Anju with winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). Hours after moving onshore, the storm rapidly dissipated and was last noted around 1200 UTC.


Preparations


Philippines

Following the first advisory on Tropical Depression Falcon by PAGASA on June 21, emergency management officials in the Philippines began taking precautions for potential damage. Severe weather bulletins and flood advisories were issued for much of the country as a large rainband established itself. In Cagayan Valley, the Philippine Army and Navy were placed on alert status for possible assistance in evacuation orders. By June 22, Public Storm Warning Signal One was raised for much of the Bicol Region. In some areas, schools were closed due to inclement weather. Additionally, the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), formerly known as the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), is a working group of various government, non-government, civil sector and private sector organizations o ...
prepositioned relief funds to be distributed once the storm passed. Off the coast of the Bicol Region, a no sailing advisory was issued to all vessels after seven fishermen went missing. Continued rains across the country prompted evacuation orders on June 24 for more than 48,000 people. Numerous schools closed due to dangerous travel conditions. In order to prevent failure, several dams began opening gates and releasing excess water. Multiple emergency management agencies across the country stockpiled resources and placed relief teams on standby to quickly assist residents affected by the storm.


South Korea

On June 25, meteorologists and local media in South Korea began warning residents of the approaching storm. The main concern was for heavy, flooding rains falling at rates up to per hour with even heavier amounts in the mountains. In order to prevent contamination of rivers, the government announced that it would closely monitor the 113 disposal sites near streams or on slopes. Offshore, large swells of were expected. Across the country, 46 flights were canceled and 118 ships were ordered to remain at port. Typhoon warnings were raised for much of the country, mainly northern provinces, and storm warnings were issued for southern provinces.


Impact


Philippines

Due to the large size of Meari, heavy rains associated with the storm fell across much of the Philippines starting on June 22. Within two days, parts of Metro Manila were submerged in up to of water and multiple dams neared their critical or spill level.


China

Striking the Shandong Peninsula on June 26, Tropical Storm Meari produced winds up to across parts of the region. Portions of
Shandong Shandong ( , ; ; alternately romanized as Shantung) is a coastal province of the People's Republic of China and is part of the East China region. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilizati ...
,
Liaoning Liaoning () is a coastal province in Northeast China that is the smallest, southernmost, and most populous province in the region. With its capital at Shenyang, it is located on the northern shore of the Yellow Sea, and is the northernmost ...
and Jilin Provinces were affected by heavy rains for much of the day.


Korean Peninsula

Bringing torrential rains to much of the Korean Peninsula, Meari caused widespread flooding in the region. Following on the heels of several days of rain, Meari contributed to a record period of six consecutive days of rain in Seoul. The heaviest rains fell in northern portions of the country, peaking at in
Boeun Boeun County (''Boeun-gun'') is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. History Boeun ( literally "offering gratitude" or "thanksgiving"), was a South Korean town named in 1406 by a remorseful King Taejong, who felt relieved that he ...
. In Seoul, of rain fell during the storm. Along the Nakdong River in North Gyeongsang, a section of bridge in Chilgok, built in honor of soldiers killed during the Korean War, collapsed. More than of road was washed away due to the storm. High winds in Jeju-do downed several tree limbs and power lines, leaving 9,861 households without power. At least nine people were killed in South Korea while another three were listed as missing. Of these fatalities, two resulted from rescuers being swept away while searching for people reported missing in flooded areas. In one incident, five people died after their car was swept away by an overflowing river. Overall, damage from the storm reached 28 billion
won Won may refer to: *The Korean won from 1902–1910 *South Korean won, the currency of the Republic of Korea *North Korean won, the currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea * Won (Korean surname) * Won (Korean given name) * Won Buddhis ...
($24.8 million USD). Heavy rains also affected much of North Korea, worsening ongoing floods. The highest known rainfall total was in
Hoeyang Hoeyang County is a ''kun'', or county, in Kangwŏn province, North Korea. It was established in a general reorganization of local government in 1952. Geography The county's area is primarily mountainous, with the Taebaek and Kwangju ranges bot ...
, though rain was still falling at the time of the reported amount. The heaviest damage occurred in Kangwon-do, North Hwanghae and South Hwanghae provinces where about 160 blocks of structures were destroyed. According to the country's prime minister, the combined effects of Meari and floods in July killed dozens of people and injured many more. An estimated 2,900 homes were destroyed and 60,000 hectares (148,200 acres) of farmland was submerged or washed away. Overall, approximately 8,000 people were left homeless. Coastal areas of both nations experience large waves.


Aftermath


Philippines

Across the affected regions of the Philippines, more than 170,000 people were evacuated after the storm due to flooding. With many residents stranded by flood waters, multiple branches of the Philippine military provided rescue vehicles, such as trucks and rubber boats, to local authorities. Emergency operations were in full force shortly after the storm passed and relief distribution began by early July. Nearly 31 million PHP ($7.1 million USD) worth of supplies was provided to affected residents. Several thousand sacks of rice previously stockpiled by disaster relief organizations and the military were distributed across the country. By June 28, the Government of the Philippines declared a
state of calamity A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to be able to put through policies that it would normally not be permitted to do, for the safety and protection of its citizens. A government can declare such a state du ...
for the Province of Pampanga, Camiling, Paniqui, Concepcion,
La Paz La Paz (), officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: ), is the seat of government of the Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bolivia. With an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020, La Paz is the List of Bolivian cities ...
, San Clemente and San Mateo. In San Mateo, the
Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy (PN) ( tgl, Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, , Sea Army of the Philippines) ( es, Armada de Filipinas, , Ejército del Mar de las Filipinas) is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an e ...
deployed a team of 198 soldiers to assist in evacuation efforts.


Korean Peninsula

In the wake of widespread flooding, South Korean President
Lee Myung-bak Lee Myung-bak (; ; ; born 19 December 1941) is a South Korean businessman and politician who served as the 10th president of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. Before his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction, and the ma ...
expressed his sadness over the loss of life from Meari. By early August, the Government of North Korea began a relief operation to assist residents affected by the July floods and Tropical Storm Meari. Food, drinking water, utensils, clothing and necessities were distributed in the hardest hit regions in South Hwanghae Province. Building supplies were also sent to initiate reconstruction. For the first time since the
ROKS Cheonan sinking The ROKS ''Cheonan'' sinking occurred on 26 March 2010, when , a of the Republic of Korea Navy, carrying 104 personnel, sank off the country's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 seamen. The cause of the sinkin ...
in March 2010, South Korea offered emergency aid to North Korea. The proposed aid included 5 billion
won Won may refer to: *The Korean won from 1902–1910 *South Korean won, the currency of the Republic of Korea *North Korean won, the currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea * Won (Korean surname) * Won (Korean given name) * Won Buddhis ...
($4.7 million USD) worth of quilts, medicine, instant noodles and healthy meals; however, the request made by the North Korean government was for rice and cement. By early October, the proposed aid effort was abandoned due to the disagreement.


See also

*
2011 Pacific typhoon season The 2011 Pacific typhoon season was a below average season that produced a total of 21 named storms, 8 typhoons, and four super typhoons. This season was much more active than the previous season, although both seasons were below the Pacific typ ...
* Other storms with the same name


Notes


References


External links

*The JMA'
RSMC Best Track Data (Graphics)
on Severe Tropical Storm Meari (1105) *The JMA'

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meari (2011) 2011 Pacific typhoon season Typhoons in the Philippines Typhoons in China Typhoons in Taiwan Typhoons in South Korea