Typhoon Usagi was the 25th tropical cyclone of the 2024 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in the Philippines and dumped rain onto Southern Taiwan before dissipating into oblivion. For the first time in recorded history, four tropical cyclones simultaneously existed in the Western Pacific during the month of November. In this blog, we will share some memories of this storm and its impact on Taiwan.
Storm Formation and Path
Tropical Depression Igme became a depression on November 9th, 2024, and was upgraded to a tropical storm on November 10th. On November 12th, it strengthened into a Typhoon. Usagi was one of four tropical cyclones to simultaneously exist in the Western Pacific during the month of November for the first time in recorded history. Two people were killed due to the storm in the Philippines but none in Taiwan.
Early forecast models predicted that the storm would graze the east coast of Taiwan as a strong Typhoon. As you will see, that did not happen.
Originally the track for the Typhoon showed that it would move fast and strong toward Japan.
However, the Typhoon deviated west from the original track to the west part of Taiwan, where Typhoons go to die.
Originally it was predicted that the Typhoon would continue east after hitting the Hengchun Peninsula.
However, the Typhoon died before it could make landfall. It was downgraded back to a tropical depression and dissipated right before the center of the storm reached the Hengchun Peninsula.
My Experience
I was in Taipei during this storm. It was calm, dry, and windy in Taipei from November 15-17th. I was afraid my trip to Hualien would be ruined. However, the typhoon had very little effect on Hualien which mostly remained dry, so my vacation plans were salvaged. The Typhoon quickly disappeared and Taiwan began to see northeasterly winds due to another Typhoon down south, Typhoon Manyi.
Rainfall Totals
Over 400 mm of rain fell in southern Taiwan due to the Typhoon, which is not a whole lot compared with other Typhoons.
Radar Track and Rainfall Totals
Meme
Usagi means rabbit in Japanese, so someone had to make this meme.
Safety Precautions During a Typhoon
- Secure loose outside objects
- If you live on the first floor of a flood-prone area, move as many valuables and important objects to higher floors as possible.
- Park your car/scooter on high ground
- Avoid going outside for your safety
- Stay out of the mountains
- Stay away from the ocean
- Have enough dry food and water ready for three days (72 hours) in case water and electricity are cut off.
If you follow the above rules, most Typhoons in Taiwan will not be dangerous. Also, most buildings in Taiwan are built with reinforced concrete that can withstand even the strongest winds, so stay indoors and you will be fine.
Conclusion
This was a small storm and died quickly after dumping a moderate amount of heavy rain on southern Taiwan for about 24 hours. This storm is sure to be quickly forgotten in Taiwan, but we are all grateful it did not turn out to be worse.
