Typhoon Sudal

Typhoon Sudal, known in the Philippines as Typhoon

Cosme, was the strongest typhoon to strike the island of
Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in about
50 years. Yap is one of the four administrative divisions
of the FSM. The entire island, only 17 km (11 mi) in
length, experienced typhoon force winds, and 90% of the
structures were damaged or destroyed. Damage was most
severe in southeastern Yap, where the eyewall struck and
winds exceeded 185 km/h (115 mph), but the center of
the typhoon passed south of the island.
Typhoon Sudal originally formed on April 2, 2004, out of
a persistent area of convection east of the FSM. It moved
mostly westward for the rst week of its duration, with
brief northerly and southwesterly turns. Sudal attained
tropical storm status on April 5, and it gradually intensied into a typhoon, which is a tropical cyclone with winds
of at least 119 km/h (74 mph) and is the equivalent of a
hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. On April 9, it passed just
south of Yap, and shortly thereafter its peak winds were
estimated at 240 km/h (150 mph). Later, Sudal moved to
the northwest and eventually to the northeast, becoming
an extratropical cyclone on April 16 and dissipating two
days later.

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the
SarSimpson hurricane wind scale

(JMA) classied the system as a weak tropical depression

near Chuuk in the FSM. It was later classied with the international designation of 0401, meaning it was the rst
tropical cyclone of 2004.[2] Slow development continued
as the system moved slowly westward, and two days later
it was classied as Tropical Depression 03W by the Joint
Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC); this was the third
tropical cyclone tracked by the agency. Shortly thereafter,
In addition to the damage on Yap, the typhoon dropped the JTWC upgraded the depression to tropical storm staheavy rainfall in Chuuk in the Federated States of Mi- tus, after convection increased over the circulation.[1]
cronesia, where some minor crop damage occurred. Sudal also brushed the United States islands of Guam and While steadily intensifying, the system turned toward
Rota with high waves and light rainfall, and later moved the north. On April 5, the JMA named the system
very close to the uninhabited Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Sudal, after assessing its maximum[2]sustained winds at
Overall damage was $14 million (2004 USD, $16.1 mil- 65 km/h (40 mph 10-min sustained). Concurrently, the
estimated winds of 100 km/h (65 km/h 1-min suslion 2010 USD), most of which was on Yap, although no JTWC [1]
tained
).
After crossing over the island of Poluwat,[3] a
fatalities or serious injuries were reported. Due to the
heavy damage, the name was retired and replaced with building ridge to the north caused Sudal to turn westMirinae. The name Sudal was contributed by South southwestward. On April 6, an eye feature began formKorea for the Pacic tropical cyclone list and is the Ko- ing, and the JTWC upgraded Sudal to typhoon strength
about 540 km (340 mi) southeast of Guam, a small island
rean name for the otter.[1]
under possession of the United States.[1] The JMA did not
follow suit until late the following day,[2] by which time
the eye had become more distinct.[1] Around that time,
1 Meteorological history
the typhoon turned toward the northwest, and initially it
was thought that Sudal would pass safely north of Yap in
The origins of Typhoon Sudal were from a persistent area the FSM.[3] Instead, it turned to the west-southwest toof convection, or thunderstorms, southeast of Pohnpei ward the island as the ridge intensied. On April 8, the
in the Federated States of Micronesia toward the end of typhoon intensied rapidly; the JTWC reported winds of
March 2004. Initially, it was in an area of high wind 215 km/h (135 mph 1-min sustained), or the equivalent of a
shear, which is the change in wind direction with height Category 4 on the SarSimpson hurricane scale. Weakand is unfavorable for tropical cyclogenesis. The unfa- ening slightly as its forward motion slowed, Typhoon Suvorable conditions gradually abated, which allowed con- dal passed about 45 km (28 mi) south of Yap at 0000
vection to increase over a broad, developing circulation UTC on April 9, which was its closest approach to the
center.[1] On April 2, the Japan Meteorological Agency island.[1]
1

2
Intensication continued throughout the day on April 9,
with the appearance of concentric eyewalls on satellite
imagery; such a feature is indicative of an intense tropical cyclone. Early on April 10, the JTWC estimated
that Sudal attained peak winds of 240 km/h (150 mph
1-min sustained), making the cyclone a super typhoon.[1]
At the same time, the JMA estimated peak winds of 165
km/h (105 mph 10-min sustained), as well as a barometric
pressure of 940 mbar (27.76 inHg).[2] Also on that day,
Sudal entered the area of warning responsibility of the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA), which provided the
name Cosme for local advisories. For several days, the
typhoon continued to the northwest, uctuating in intensity but remaining powerful. On April 12, Sudal turned
toward the north and northeast through a weakness in the
ridge, and its eye increased to a diameter of about 85 km
(53 mi). The next day, the typhoon attained a secondary
peak intensity of 230 km/h (145 mph 1-min sustained), although it gradually weakened subsequently due to a combination of increasing upper-level wind shear and cooler
water temperatures.[1]

2 IMPACT

Damage wrought by the storm on Yap

cronesia (FSM). One station reported 17 cm (6.68 inches)

of rainfall in a 24 hour period. The passage of the storm
left minor roof damage and some crop damage, due to
storm surge contaminating groundwater. No deaths or
injuries were reported in the state.[3] The storm briey
threatened Guam,[1] and as it passed south of the island,
Sudal produced 5.5 m (18 ft) waves and a 0.9 m (3 ft)
storm surge. A station at Apra Harbor recorded a 69
km/h (43 mph) wind gust, and light rainfall of around
5 cm (2.0 in) was reported, although no damage was reported on the island. High waves also occurred on Rota
in the Northern Mariana Islands.[4] The FSM is an independent nation in Compact of Free Association with the
United States, and the latter nation is responsible for aid
and protection.[5]

Further west, Typhoon Sudal intensied quickly as it

moved through the Caroline Islands and later Yap state.
On Ulithi, a wind gust of 132 km/h (82 mph) was reported, and 6.34 inches of rainfall occurred in a 24 hour
period. High waves of over 5 m (18 ft) struck the island,
causing severe beach erosion and damaging subsistence
crops. The winds downed a few trees and wrecked some
poorly built homes. On nearby Faraulep and Fais islands,
similar meteorological conditions and damages were reported. The small Ngulu Atoll received gale force winds
and heavy rainfall, which destroyed half of the islands
Satellite of the eye of Typhoon Sudal striking Yap
water storage tanks.[3] Later in its duration, Sudal passed
Jima, producing wind gusts of 141 km/h (87
Early on April 15, Sudal passed very near the uninhab- near Iwo
[1]
mph).
ited Japanese island of Iwo Jima as a rapidly weakening typhoon; at the time, its circulation center was exposed from the deepest convection.[1] Shortly thereafter,
2.1 Yap
both the JTWC and JMA downgraded Sudal to tropical storm status.[1][2] Late on April 15, the JTWC asThe worst of the damage occurred on the island of Yap.
sessed the storm as becoming extratropical, although the
Initially, the typhoon was expected to pass north of the
JMA maintained advisories until the following day. As an
island without aecting it signicantly, but instead the
extratropical storm, Sudal continued northeastward until
island experienced the brunt of the storm.[3] Typhoon
losing its identity early on April 18, well east of Japan and
Lupit aected the island in the previous year, from which
far south of the Aleutian Islands.[1]
the islanders were still recovering. With the last minute
change in direction, government ocials rushed to complete preparations on the island. On the day before the ty2 Impact
phoon struck, storm shelters were opened in schools and
government buildings that could withstand the winds of
Early in its duration as a weak tropical storm, Sudal Sudal. In anticipation of signicant damage, Yap opassed near Chuuk state in the Federated States of Mi- cials sent a request to the FSM government for emergency

3
aid to clean up after the storm.[6]

about 50 years.[7]

3 Aftermath

A home completely destroyed by Sudal on Yap

On April 9, the eye of Sudal briey passed over the southern portion of the island, and winds of 185 km/h (115
mph) struck the island for about four hours.[3] The entire island, only 17 km (11 mi) in length, experienced typhoon force winds.[7] Yap International Airport recorded
a peak wind gust of 181 km/h (112 mph); a subsequent
survey estimated wind gusts on the island reached 226
km/h (140 mph). Heavy rainfall occurred during Sudals
passage, including 20.0 cm (7.88 inches) in a 48 hour period at the airport. The lowest pressure on the island was
958.5 mbar (28.30 inHg). Along the coast, the typhoon
produced waves of 6.7 m (22 ft) in height, along with a
3.7 m (12 ft) storm surge;[3] the combination sunk several
ships and heavily damaged the islands coral reefs, the latter which is one of Yaps primary tourism attractions.[3][8]

Emergency supplies from the Federal Emergency Management

Agency being unloaded from a truck to be deployed on Yap

Following the passage of Sudal, ocials in Yap declared

a state of emergency,[12] and a day after the typhoon
struck, United States President George W. Bush ordered
federal disaster aid for the FSM. The latter declaration
provided funding for 75% of the debris removal cost and
emergency services.[13] Less than a week after the storm,
the Pacic Islands Forum provided $11,500 to Yap for
relief eorts.[14] Over the subsequent weeks, the FSM
government established a typhoon relief fund of about
$250,000. Additionally, the United States government
[11]
When Typhoon Sudal struck the island, there were about allocated $7,443,000 for relief eorts.
8,000 people living on Yap, with about 1,700 houses. Within a few days, the Federal Emergency ManageThe typhoon destroyed 700 homes, and left another 900 ment Agency (FEMA) identied primary concerns for
damaged; many of the destroyed homes were wooden. the small island, including xing the water supply, disDamage was heaviest in the southeastern portion of tributing water, clearing roads, and xing damaged shelthe island,[3] including in and around Colonia, the cap- ters. On the island, the water supply was rapidly
ital city.[9] The strong winds downed trees across the diminishing;[12] more than 80% of the islanders were
island.[10] Over 90% of the structures on the island were without clean water, and the water from the treatment
damaged or destroyed, including the hospital, airport, plant needed to be boiled for extended periods of time.[15]
most government facilities, and the water, power and Health issues included dehydration, sickness, and gascommunications systems.[3] One of the ve hotels on the trointestinal problems.[12] Without running water, sevisland was also destroyed.[11] About 80% of the residents eral people bathed in the oil-contaminated harbor where
lost power or water after the storm. In the southeastern many boats sunk, which caused skin irritations.[8]
portion of the island, high waves wrecked most of the Initially, telephone service onto the island was disrupted,
coastal homes, and also severely damaged the seawall. and the only method of outside contact was by radio to
The intrusion of salt water destroyed almost all of the the University of Guam. The Guam Memorial Hospital
food crops on the island. Following the typhoons pas- dropped a package of medical supplies to Yap, although
sage, about 1,000 people were left homeless, and another planes containing aid ying onto the island were disrupted
500 were forced to stay in shelters.[3]
by the damaged runway.[16] About a day after Sudals
Overall damage from Typhoon Sudal totaled about $14
million (2004 USD, $16.1 million 2010 USD), most of
which on Yap from property damage. Despite the heavy
damage, there were no deaths,[3] although there were initial reports of one fatality.[1] Only 8 people required hospital treatment due to injuries,[11] none of them serious.[1]
Typhoon Sudal was the strongest typhoon to strike Yap in

passage, the runway was cleared and repaired, which allowed a United States Coast Guard plane to provide relief supplies, including building materials.[9] By April 12,
or three days after the typhoon, communication links to
the island began to be restored.[10] By four days later, the
water treatment plant was repaired. One power station
on the island was repaired, but since the strong winds

REFERENCES

damaged most of the power lines, about 85% of the pop- Due to the heavy damage on Yap, the name Sudal was reulation remained without electricity. Primary roadways tired during the 38th session of the Economic and Social
were largely cleared, and all bridges were reopened.[8]
Commission for Asia and the Pacic and World Meteorological Organization typhoon committee in November
2005; it was replaced with the name Mirinae.[20]

4 See also
List of retired Pacic typhoon names
Typhoon Sonca (2005)

5 References
Homes and businesses were destroyed across Yap when Typhoon
Sudal sent high winds and waters ashore.

About two weeks after the typhoons passage, there were

still 500 people in 18 shelters in Colonia, the capital
city, as well as about 400 people in shelters elsewhere.[17]
Many others were either residing with relatives or staying
at their damaged properties.[18] The United States Army
Corps of Engineers arrived on Yap to coordinate debris
removal and installing generators. Ocials sent 23 ights
of aid to the island, as well as one each to the outlying islands of Ulithi and Fais. About 76,000 litres (20,000 gallons) of water were sent to the island, and ve large water
tanks were installed. Members of the United States Forest Service arrived to coordinate the receiving and distribution of relief supplies.[17] The Yap hospital was poorly
suited to handle the typhoon, due to the lack of medications or emergency medical equipment. About 60 FEMA
personnel worked at the hospital, who required additional
items, such as their own supply of water and food, to prevent them from acquiring local diseases. During their
stay on the island, the group assisted 163 people, mostly
for minor issues.[5] Overall, there were about 100 FEMA
workers involved on the island, although only 20 stayed
there due to lack of hotels and rental cars.[18]

[1] Gary Padgett (2004). April Global Tropical Weather

Summary. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
[2] Japan Meteorological Agency (1997). Best Track of the
2004 Pacic Typhoon Season. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
[3] National Climatic Data Center (2004). Event Report for
Typhoon Sudal. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
[4] Guam National Weather Service (2004-04-18).
Typhoon Sudal (03W) Preliminary Post-Storm Report...
Update. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2004-05-14.
Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[5] Robert Partridge, Kevin King, and Lawrence Proano
(2006-06-21). Medical Support for Emergency Relief Workers After Typhoon Sudal in Yap, Micronesia
(PDF). Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 21 (23). Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[6] Mark-Alexander Pieper (2004-04-09). Coastal areas
evacuated as Typhoon Sudal zeroes in on Yap. Cyber
Diver News Network. Pacic Daily News. Archived from
the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-06.

By 26 days after the storm, more than half of the is- [7] Prior, Sarah A.; Guard, Charlkes (April 2005). In the
Wake of a Destructive Typhoon: Cold Water, Low Tides,
land had power restored, and the cell phone system was
and Fog. Mariners Weather Log (National Oceanic and
[11]
In the weeks and months after the passage of
xed.
Atmospheric Administration) 49 (1). Retrieved 2010-08Sudal, water temperatures around Yap decreased from 30
12.
C (86 F) to 24 C (75 F), due to signicant upwelling.
The drastic decrease caused unusual amounts of fog [8] Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (2004over the island, as well as signicantly lower tides.[7] By
04-16). President Urusemal and Yap leadership meet on
September 2004, rebuilding was still underway, and half
typhoon. ReliefWeb. FSM Information Services. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
of the schools, which had previously been used as shelters, reopened to students. Power and water lines were
completely restored. The hospital remained damaged [9] International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (2004-04-10). Micronesia: Typhoon Sudal Inwith a temporary roof, and although private businesses
formation Bulletin No. 1/04. ReliefWeb. Retrieved
quickly re-opened, government buildings took longer to
2010-08-13.
be rebuilt; this was due to the lengthy process of receiving aid from FEMA.[19] Additionally, ocials required a [10] Sta Writer (2004-04-12). Micronesias Yap atoll
land survey to determine where structures were safe to be
severely damaged by Typhoon Sudal: report. ReliefWeb.
Agency French-Presse. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
rebuilt.[5]

[11] United Nations Oce for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aairs (2004-05-05). Federated States of Micronesia Typhoon Sudal OCHA Situation Report No.
2. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[12] Sta Writer (2004-04-12). Typhoon Sudal leaves Yap
in state of emergency. FSM Information Services. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
[13] Sta Writer (2004-04-10). President Orders Disaster
Aid For Micronesia Typhoon Response. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Archived from the original
on 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[14] Sta Writer (2004-04-15). FSM and Fiji to receive Forum natural disaster funding. ReliefWeb. Australian
Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[15] Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (201004-12). Typhoon Sudal leaves Yap in state of emergency. FSM Informational Services. Retrieved 201008-13.
[16] Mark-Alexander Pieper (2004-04-09). Typhoon Sudal
batters Yap Island. Cyber Diver News Network. Pacic
Daily News. Archived from the original on December 5,
2008. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
[17] Sta Writer (2004-04-22). FEMA Coordinating Immediate Extensive Federal Aid For Yap. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Archived from the original
on 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[18] Katie Worth (2004-04-22). Relief agency says hundreds
still in Yap shelters. ReliefWeb. Pacic Daily News. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[19] Katie Worth (2004-09-22). Yap still struggling to recover after onslaught of Typhoon Sudal. Cyber Diver
News Network. Pacic Daily News. Archived from the
original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
[20] ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee (2005). 38th Session of the Typhoon Committee. Retrieved 2007-07-27.

External links
RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center
Best Track Data of Typhoon Sudal (0401)
(Japanese)
Best Track Data (Graphics) of Typhoon Sudal
(0401)
Best Track Data (Text)
JTWC Best Track Data of Super Typhoon 03W (Sudal)

7 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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Yellow Evan, Materialscientist, FrescoBot, GoingBatty, Dcirovic, ZroBot, H3llBot, Carroy47, ClueBot NG, BattyBot, David.moreno72,
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