Tropical Storm Etau (2015)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Severe Tropical Storm Etau caused extensive and destructive flooding across eastern
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
during early-September 2015. Originating from a tropical disturbance near
Guam Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
on September 2, Etau was first classified a
tropical depression A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure area, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its locat ...
on September 5. Tracking generally north, the cyclone gradually intensified and reached its peak strength with winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) on September 8. The following day, Etau made landfall in
Honshu , historically known as , is the largest of the four main islands of Japan. It lies between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west). It is the list of islands by area, seventh-largest island in the world, and the list of islands by ...
, Japan. It subsequently transitioned into 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 p ...
later that day over the
Sea of Japan The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it ...
. Record-breaking rains fell across Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures, triggering destructive floods. Evacuation orders were issued to approximately 2.8 million people. Levee breaches took place along multiple rivers, most notably the
Kinugawa , is a river on the main island of Honshu in Japan. It flows from the north to the south on the Kantō plain, merging with . At 176.7 km in length, it is the longest tributary of Tone-gawa. From ancient times, it has been known to cause flood ...
which subsequently inundated the city of
Jōsō is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 59,314 in 21,168 households and a population density of 480 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 38.8%. The total area of t ...
. Eight people were killed across eastern Japan and total damage amounted to ¥294 billion (US$2.44 billion).


Meteorological history

During September 5, the United States
Joint Typhoon Warning Center The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force command in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The JTWC is responsible for the issuing of tropical cyclone warnings in the North-West Pacific Ocean, South P ...
started to monitor a tropical disturbance, that had developed within a marginal environment for further development to the northwest of Guam. At this time the system was broad, weak and unorganized with deep atmospheric convection displaced over the north-western quadrant. Over the next day the disturbance moved north-westwards, as its low level circulation developed further and started to consolidate. During September 6, the system was classified as Tropical Depression 18W by the JTWC and as Tropical Storm Etau by the JMA. However, during Etau's post storm analysis, the JMA announced that the system had only developed into a tropical storm during September 7. Formative bands wrapped around its ragged and ill-defined LLCC. Satellite image revealed that Etau had convection increasing near its center, therefore, the JTWC upgraded it to a tropical storm. The system later reached its peak intensity as a severe tropical storm on September 8 with
maximum sustained wind The maximum sustained wind associated with a tropical cyclone is a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, it is found within the eyewall at a certain distance from the center, known as the radius of ma ...
s of 95 km/h (60 mph). Some weakening took place before the system made
landfall Landfall is the event of a storm moving over land after being over water. More broadly, and in relation to human travel, it refers to 'the first land that is reached or seen at the end of a journey across the sea or through the air, or the fact ...
over
Chita Peninsula The Chita Peninsula (知多半島 ''Chita Hantō'') is a peninsula to the south of Aichi Prefecture, central Honshū, Japan. It runs approximately north-south. To the west is Ise Bay, while to the east it encloses Mikawa Bay. It faces the Atsu ...
,
Aichi is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Aichi Prefecture has a population of 7,461,111 () and a geographic area of with a population density of . Aichi Prefecture borders Mie Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefecture ...
, in the
Chūbu region The , Central region, or is a region in the middle of Honshū, Japan's main island. In a wide, classical definition, it encompasses nine prefectures (''ken''): Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Ya ...
of Japan, early on September 9. Transition into 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 p ...
ensued as Etau became embedded within a
frontal boundary A weather front is a boundary separating air masses for which several characteristics differ, such as air density, wind, temperature, and humidity. Disturbed and unstable weather due to these differences often arises along the boundary. For ins ...
. This process completed later that day as Etau emerged over the
Sea of Japan The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it ...
. The extratropical remnants of Etau later interacted with and was absorbed by another but larger extratropical system which were the remnants of Typhoon Kilo on September 11.


Impact


Japan

Record rains fell across many areas in eastern Japan, with more than reported in much of eastern
Honshu , historically known as , is the largest of the four main islands of Japan. It lies between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west). It is the list of islands by area, seventh-largest island in the world, and the list of islands by ...
. The JMA director, Takuya Deshimaru, called the event "unprecedented". The heaviest rains fell across
Tochigi Prefecture is a landlocked Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Tochigi Prefecture has a population of 1,897,649 (1 June 2023) and has a geographic area of 6,408 Square kilometre, km2 (2,474 Square mile, sq mi ...
where was observed in
Nikkō is a Cities of Japan, city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. , the city's population was 80,239, in 36,531 households. The population density was 55 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Nikkō is a popular destination for Japanese and ...
, including in 24 hours. Kanuma saw during 24 hours, more than double its previous record. Farther north in
Sendai is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tōhoku region. , the city had a population of 1,098,335 in 539,698 households, making it the List of cities in Japan, twelfth most populated city in Japan. ...
, of rain was observed.
Toba, Mie is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 17,741 in 8328 households and a population density of 170 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography Toba is located on the northeastern tip o ...
saw in an hour.
Fukushima Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Fukushima Prefecture has a population of 1,771,100 () and has a geographic area of . Fukushima Prefecture borders Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture ...
saw its heaviest rains in 50 years, with more than observed during a 48‑hour span. The extreme rains prompted multiple emergency warnings from the JMA and Takuya Deshimaru stated that the situation posed "grave danger" to residents. An emergency rainfall warning was issued for Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures on September 10 and for
Miyagi Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Miyagi Prefecture has a population of 2,265,724 (1 August 2023) and has a geographic area of . Miyagi Prefecture borders Iwate Prefecture to the north, Akit ...
on September 11. More than 90,000 people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders A further 700,000 people were advised to evacuate as of the morning of September 11, including 410,000 in
Sendai is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tōhoku region. , the city had a population of 1,098,335 in 539,698 households, making it the List of cities in Japan, twelfth most populated city in Japan. ...
, Miyagi. At the height of the storm, 600,000 people were advised to relocate across Kawasaki in
Kanagawa Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the List of Japanese prefectures by population, second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-dens ...
. Overall, approximately 2.8 million people were advised to evacuate, with 183,500 people under mandatory orders. The heavy rains triggered widespread flooding, with multiple rivers over-topping their banks. A section of a
levee A levee ( or ), dike (American English), dyke (British English; see American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences, spelling differences), embankment, floodbank, or stop bank is an elevated ridge, natural ...
along the
Kinugawa River , is a river on the main island of Honshu in Japan. It flows from the north to the south on the Kantō plain, merging with . At 176.7 km in length, it is the longest tributary of Tone-gawa. From ancient times, it has been known to cause flood ...
in Ibaraki collapsed shortly after noon local time on September 10, inundating the nearby city of
Jōsō is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 59,314 in 21,168 households and a population density of 480 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 38.8%. The total area of t ...
. An evacuation order was not issued for Jōsō until the levee was already breached; Mayor Toru Takasugi later issued a public apology for the delayed warning. This was the first time the river broke its banks in 66 years. A 40 km2 (15 mi2) area with an estimated 6,500 homes and businesses was affected. Residents were left stranded on rooftops, with 880 still in need of rescue by the morning of September 11. Two people died in the city. Two other areas along the river, including
Chikusei is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 98,031 in 39,075 households and a population density of 478 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 31.2%. The total area of the ...
, experienced flooding. Throughout Ibaraki Prefecture, 3,089 hectares (7,633 acre) of crops were damaged with losses exceeding ¥920 million (US$7.64 million). One person died in
Sakai is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the medieval era. Sakai is known for its '' kofun'', keyhole-shaped burial mounds dating from the fifth century. The ''kofun ...
. At least one person was killed by a landslide in Kanuma, Tochigi. Another landslide at a mine in Ashikaga killed a worker. A third death in Tochigi occurred due to flooding. Widespread flooding affected Miyagi Prefecture, especially around the town of Taiwa. A levee along the Shibui River in Ōsaki was breached, stranding 1,000 people. Two people drowned across the prefecture. A total of 4,533 hectares (11,201 acres) of farmland were submerged. Landslides and flooding in
Chiba Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Chiba Prefecture has a population of 6,278,060 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Chiba Prefecture borders Ibaraki Prefecture to the north, Saitama ...
affected 109 buildings and rendered numerous roads impassible. Significant damage took place at a fishing port in
Chōshi Chōshi (, ) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 59,174 in 27,160 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is . Geography Chōshi is located in the northeastern part ...
; multiple vessels sank and driftwood cluttered the water. Agricultural losses in the prefecture reached ¥84 million (US$698,000). Drainage pumps at the crippled
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant The is a disabled nuclear power plant located on a site in the towns of Ōkuma, Fukushima, Ōkuma and Futaba, Fukushima, Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The plant Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, suffered major damage from the 201 ...
, which suffered critical meltdowns after the
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami On 11 March 2011, at 14:46:24 Japan Standard Time, JST (05:46:24 UTC), a  9.0–9.1 Submarine earthquake, undersea megathrust earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Oshika Peninsula of the Tōhoku region. It lasted approx ...
, were overwhelmed on September 9 and allowed contaminated water to flow into the Pacific Ocean. This was the seventh such incident in 2015. Flood waters swept 293 bags of radioactive waste into a nearby river, 171 of which were retrieved by September 13. More than 800 people were isolated in the mountain town of
Minamiaizu is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 15,158 in 6,575 households, and a population density of 17 persons per km2. The total area of the town was . Geography Minamiaizu is located in the mo ...
after the Tateiwagawa River washed away the only highway access to the town. Damage across the
Tōkai region The is a subregion of the Chūbu region and Kansai region in Japan that runs along the Pacific Ocean. The name comes from the Tōkaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes. Because Tōkai is a sub-region and is not officially classified, there is ...
, where Etau made landfall, was comparably light. A total of 108 homes were affected and landslides damaged multiple roads. Losses in the region reached ¥265 million (US$2.2 million). An 800-year-old tree in
Tarui, Gifu is a town located in Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 27,439 and a population density of 480 persons per km2, in 10,525 households. The total area of the town was . Geography Tarui is located in ...
, a local natural monument, was felled from a combination of saturated soil and high winds produced by Etau.


Russia

The extratropical remnants of Etau brought moderate rains to
Primorsky Krai Primorsky Krai, informally known as Primorye, is a federal subjects of Russia, federal subject (a krais of Russia, krai) of Russia, part of the Far Eastern Federal District in the Russian Far East. The types of inhabited localities in Russia, ...
in the
Russian Far East The Russian Far East ( rus, Дальний Восток России, p=ˈdalʲnʲɪj vɐˈstok rɐˈsʲiɪ) is a region in North Asia. It is the easternmost part of Russia and the Asia, Asian continent, and is coextensive with the Far Easte ...
on September 10. Accumulations peaked at with values over limited to coastal areas. Winds up to were observed in
Vladivostok Vladivostok ( ; , ) is the largest city and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai and the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia. It is located around the Zolotoy Rog, Golden Horn Bay on the Sea of Japan, covering an area o ...
.


Aftermath

The
Japan Self-Defense Forces The are the military forces of Japan. Established in 1954, the JSDF comprises the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. They are controlled by the Ministry of Defense ...
dispatched helicopters to Jōsō soon after the floods, rescuing people from rooftops. More than 6,000 personnel and 51 helicopters were deployed. Rescuers were reportedly overwhelmed by the number of calls for help. A rescue attempt of a couple in Jōsō was aired live; however, the structure they were standing on collapsed and the feed was cut and their fate is currently unknown. The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo planned to send 100 officers to Jōsō while members of the Tokyo Fire Department were deployed with a helicopter. Lingering high waters from the levee breach hampered relief efforts.
Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
Shinzō Abe Shinzo Abe (21 September 1954 – 8 July 2022) was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving pri ...
toured Jōsō on September 12. By September 13, approximately 2,100 people from Jōsō remained in public shelters. The
Japanese Red Cross The is the Japanese affiliate of the International Red Cross. The Imperial Family of Japan has traditionally supported the society, with the Empress as Honorary President and other imperial family members as vice presidents. Its headquarters ...
provided ¥3 million (US$25,000) to relief efforts and asked the public for donations.


See also

* Weather of 2015 *
Tropical cyclones in 2015 During 2015, tropical cyclones formed in seven major bodies of water, commonly known as tropical cyclone basins. Tropical cyclones will be assigned names by various weather agencies if they attain maximum sustained winds of . During the year, on ...
* Other tropical cyclones named Etau *
Typhoon Man-yi (2013) Typhoon Man-yi was a very severe storm that brought very strong winds and flash floods to Japan during mid-September. The third typhoon of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Man-yi was identified on September 10. It became a storm on September ...
*
Typhoon Mindulle (2016) Typhoon Mindulle () was a strong tropical cyclone which affected Japan in mid August 2016. The ninth named storm and second typhoon of the 2016 Pacific typhoon season, Mindulle was first noted as a low-pressure area northwest of Guam on August 1 ...
*
Tropical Storm Nanmadol (2017) Severe Tropical Storm Nanmadol, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Emong, was a tropical cyclone that impacted southern Japan during early-July 2017. Nanmadol developed over in the Philippine Sea as a tropical depression on July&n ...


References


External links


JMA General Information
of Severe Tropical Storm Etau (1518) from Digital Typhoon
JMA Best Track Data
of Severe Tropical Storm Etau (1518) JTWC Best Track Data
of Tropical Storm 18W (Etau)-->
18W.ETAU
from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory * {{DEFAULTSORT:Etau (2015) 2015 Pacific typhoon season Western Pacific severe tropical storms Typhoons in Japan Tropical Storm Etau Etau