Typhoon Bavi to Bring Torrential Rain and Gusts Over 118kph to Northern Taiwan Today
Typhoon Bavi Approaches Taiwan
Typhoon Bavi was expected to have its strongest impact on Taiwan from last night through daytime today, with its storm circle forecast to reach areas from New Taipei City’s northeast coast to Yilan and Hualien counties early today, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday. [1] As of 6pm yesterday, the center of the typhoon was about 590km east of Taiwan’s southernmost tip at Oluanpi, moving northwest at 26kph. [1] The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 155kph near its center, with gusts reaching 191kph. [1] It had a radius of 380km. [1] A land warning, issued at 5:30am yesterday, remains in effect for 14 cities and counties, covering areas from Changhua northward to eastern Taiwan and the outlying islands of Matsu. [1] Sea warnings cover waters north of Taiwan, the northern Taiwan Strait, waters off northeastern and southeastern Taiwan, and the Bashi Channel. [1] CWA Forecast Center official Lin Po-tung said the storm’s center is forecast to pass north of Taiwan, and its storm circle is expected to shrink slightly as it approaches, meaning not every part of Taiwan would necessarily be covered by the storm circle. [1] However, the storm circle is expected to reach land early today from New Taipei City’s northeast coast to Yilan and Hualien counties, while the typhoon itself is forecast to make its closest approach to Taiwan from around midday through this evening. [1] The typhoon is expected to move toward China’s coast by early tomorrow. [1]
Forecast Rainfall and Wind Impacts
Rainfall is expected to be heaviest from last night through daytime today. [1] Northern Taiwan and mountainous areas in central Taiwan and Yilan could see torrential rain, with the possibility of “extremely torrential rainfall” in some locations. [1] Other parts of Taiwan are also likely to experience heavy rain as the storm’s rainbands move across the nation. [1] Strong winds are also expected to intensify. [1] Coastal areas could see gusts of more than 75kph starting last night, while inland areas might experience gusts of more than 50kph. [1] During the day, the strongest winds are expected to spread further inland, including parts of northern Taiwan and Pingtung County. [1] Lin said the Taipei Basin is likely to experience its strongest winds from this afternoon into the evening, with gusts of more than 75kph, while areas closer to the storm center along the north coast could be pummeled by gusts exceeding 118kph. [1] Waves along Taiwan’s east coast have already reached 9m. [1] Through this evening, 4m to 7m waves are forecast in waters north and east of Taiwan and in the northern Taiwan Strait, while seas near the typhoon’s center could exceed 10m. [1]
Government Warnings and Preparations
Except for Taitung County and Kinmen, all cities and counties have declared today a typhoon day, canceling work and classes. [1] President William Lai urged people in areas likely to be most affected by Bavi to remain on high alert. [1] “Although the typhoon has weakened slightly and is now classified as a moderate typhoon, its extensive wind field might still bring strong winds and heavy rain to various areas,” Lai wrote on Facebook. [1] As of 2pm yesterday, evacuations nationwide totaled 2,050, the Central Emergency Operations Center said, mainly in the mountainous county of Hualien in Taiwan’s east where authorities are monitoring two barrier dams. [1] The military said its Third Theater Command has deployed AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles, rescue boats and special operations personnel to Yilan’s Suao, and more than 9,000 troops are on standby, ready to provide disaster relief support anywhere in the nation. [1] However, because the warning area also covers Matsu, sea and land warnings for the whole of Taiwan are not likely to be lifted before early tomorrow morning. [1]
Transport Disruptions
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp said yesterday it will cancel all regularly scheduled services today and instead run three trains per hour in each direction, departing from Nangang Station southbound and Zuoying Station northbound. [1] The trains will stop at every station and all cars will be nonreserved with the exception of business-class. [1] Trains will depart from both terminal stations on the hour, 20 minutes past the hour and 40 minutes past the hour. [1] Passengers who cancel trips because of the typhoon can apply for refunds without paying handling fees. [1] Those still needing to travel may use their original tickets to board any of today's operating nonreserved services if their booked train is canceled because of the schedule changes. [1] Taiwan Railway Corp said it will suspend most train services across Taiwan before noon today. [1] All reserved-seat trains on the western trunk line will be suspended through 12 pm today, while among nonreserved services only local trains running between Changhua and Chaojhou in southern Taiwan will operate as normal. [1] On the eastern trunk line and South Link line, both reserved-seat and nonreserved trains will be fully suspended before noon. [1] For branch lines, only the Shalun line in Tainan will continue operating as normal, while all other branch line services will be suspended. [1] Tourist trains will also be suspended. [1]
Flood Warnings in the United States
The Flood Warning is extended for the Wapsipinicon River near De Witt 4S affecting Clinton and Scott Counties. [2] Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. [2] At 12.0 feet, overbank flooding occurs. [2] Water affects residences along the river between Wheatland and Calamus. [2] Water affects businesses along the river near Calamus. [2] The Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River near Havana affecting Cass, Mason and Fulton Counties. [4] The Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River at Peoria affecting Peoria, Woodford and Tazewell Counties. [4] The Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River at Beardstown affecting Cass, Morgan, Schuyler and Brown Counties. [4] Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast on segments of the Illinois River. [4] Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast on other segments of the Illinois River. [5] The following forecasts are based on observed precipitation, soil moisture conditions, and forecast precipitation. [4]
Flash Flooding in Missouri
The National Weather Service in St Louis has extended the Flash Flood Warning for southern Madison County in southeastern Missouri until 100 PM CDT. [3] At 1032 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding across the warned area. [3] Between 5 and 10 inches of rain have fallen. [3] Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. [3] Flash flooding is already occurring. [3] The hazard is flash flooding caused by heavy rain. [3]
What to watch next: The typhoon is expected to move toward China’s coast by early tomorrow, with Taiwan sea and land warnings likely remaining in effect until then, while moderate flooding on the Wapsipinicon River continues until Sunday morning and the flash flood warning in southern Madison County remains active until 100 PM CDT.
