Typhoon Usagi moves through SE Asia

BBC ^ | 21 September 2013 Last updated at 00:55 ET

[Pan_Yan]

Heavy rain and howling winds are lashing the northern Philippines and Taiwan as Typhoon Usagi goes through the Luzon Strait which divides them.

Villages have been evacuated, ferries suspended and flights cancelled.

Meteorologists say the storm is the most powerful this year and will bring a cumulative rainfall of 1,000mm (39in) as it heads towards China.

The authorities there have announced a red alert ahead of the expected arrival of the storm on Monday.

The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre said on Friday that Usagi was packing sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph), with gusts of up to 296 km/h (185mph), making it the equivalent of a strong category four Atlantic hurricane.

[married21]

Do they use alphabetical order on Pacific storm names? If so, they have had quite a busy season if they are up to the letter “U”, right?

[MeshugeMikey]

if one pronounces the name one letter at a time...one would in effect be saying U.S.A G.I.

rather oddily coincidental...but probably meaningless

[RayChuang88]

The big concern right now is that Usagi is heading for an almost direct hit on Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. It may be the biggest typhoon to hit the former British colony in many years.

I've lived through typhoons that directly hit Hong Kong--Rose in 1971 and Hope in 1979--and believe me, the extremely intense (and very loud!) winds and intense rain can be very unnerving to watch, especially outside the window of the apartment building where I stayed!

[AlexW]

The eye of the typhoon passed north of Luzon, Philippines, but dumped plenty of rain in the north.
We had rain here on Cebu from the very south side of the storm, but nothing heavy or constant.
The real danger is for Hong Kong, the bulls eye for USAGI.

For anyone interested, go to http://www.typhoon2000.ph/
Check out the various “tracks”. Under “sat loops”, I look at “PHL” each day to see what weather I will have.

[Mmogamer]

Usagi Yojimbo

[doorgunner69]

Mebbe they start backwards being below the equator?

[AlexW]

“Mebbe they start backwards being below the equator?”
___________________________________________
Typhoons and hurricanes form in the northern Pacific.
In the south, they are cyclones.
Typhoons have two names. This one is Usagi/Odette. Usagi is the international name.
www.typhoon2000.com

[matginzac]

This is not going to be good...worst place on the world for this kind of weather...

[batterycommander]

I love how they name these storms with Japanese names. They all eventually hit the Chinese mainland, and the Chinese have to suffer from another Japanese attack from Mother Nature. This must chap the Chinese butt. Someone at NWS or American Crossroads must be behind this.

[faucetman]

Pronounced “You soggy”

[MeshugeMikey]

“You Soggy” ....;-}